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(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!

210 replies

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 01:18

What’s you opinion.
Moved into new build property in December detached house with a detached house on both sides. We unfortunately have our neighbours garage in our garden no big deal (right)???
we had nearly completed the sale and the woman in sales office said ‘oh before I forget you can’t hang attached anything to your neighbours garage I.e hanging baskets basketball hoop etc etc. We said oh that’s fine we totally respect that.

Moved in thought both sides where lovely both respectable, both sides have young children ideal I thought as I have 3. I gave my neighbour clothes from my little girl that she had grown out of Iv bought her a gift when she had a baby Basically got on well and everyone was happy.

With lockdown like most people we decided to get garden done. We chose decking to go along the back where we get the sun to put the chairs on etc. When the workmen came I advised that we didn’t want to attached any of the wood to the garage wall and to leave a gap this was all agreed all good to go. When the workmen started putting the posts up I thought I’d just txt next door to say btw we are getting decking but we totally respect you and we haven’t drilled or screwed anything to the garage. She hadn’t seen my message as literally minutes later she knocked to say she had Hurd drilling (it was a saw) and that she was wondering what we where doing? I explained that i had just txt and said not to worry we have left a gap!! We chatted about other bits and pieces then she left. 10 mins later she came to the door with her dh and 2 little ones and the dh asked if he could have a word with the lads!!!! I said yeah go round the back so off he went round the side he was asking the workmen what they where doing and how etc and then said that the decking is too high and would affect the damp proof in the garage the workmen said if they do it to this height all the rain water will run onto the grass not his garage wall. He then said if he needs access to maintain it he couldn’t!!! the workmen said he could get into point or damp proof or what ever he thinks he may need to do can’t see much maintenance on a brand new house, but anyway!! He then left and I thought that was that.

I was looking out the window a few minutes later and I seen a man I’d never seen before along with the dh in my garden,I immediately got my back up as he’s complaining about Me touching his property when he’s just walked on my property without even knocking on me first to explain that he wanted to bring his dad round to have a look.

The dh and the dad was grilling the workmen again and the same thing was repeated,I told the dh that I was upset he’d came into the garden with his dad knowing my dh is working away and I thought it was intimidating I advised I was guttered as I thought there where a lovely family and there basically causing unnecessary trouble!! I got myself upset and went into the house.

His dw Txt and said it wasn’t there intention to upset me but that We basically should have told them that we were getting Decking done and made sure they where happy with our plans.
My argument is we haven’t touched there property we have respected that from day one, we only advised them of this because we are courteous but I don’t feel the need to run over my plans with them. I said that unfortunately there garage is in our garden and we have to make the best of the garden working round the garage!! Her reply was which pissed me off was ..... technically your garden abuts onto our garage which is our land not your garden!!!

It doesn’t matter how she try’s to dress it up the garage is in our garden.
Right if you’ve got this far what is your opinion Iv been as fair as fair can be,I’m so upset that we have fallen out but I haven’t done anything wrong.

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
TheCraicDealer · 04/06/2020 02:38

If they already have concerns about the DPC in their garage I can totally understand them getting nervy about the decking/gap possibly causing even more issues. If they're in dispute with the builders they might be worried it may muddy the waters and allow the developers to point the finger at The Gap for causing damp rather than their poor workmanship.

However all that still doesn't excuse them ambling into your property for a nosy.

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 02:44

are talking about major problems damp in there garage as app the builders didn’t damp proof it right
So they are now blaming you because the builders fcuked up! What shite neighbors.

If weeds grow in the 'gap' all it takes it some weed killer to be poured down.
If leaves build up in the 'gap' all it take is a stick to swipe them out.
Ants can also be stopped with chemicals or boiling water.

It really isn't a big deal.

FredaNerkk · 04/06/2020 02:49

Assuming you’re in the UK
My understanding is that:
You need to be careful that you don’t damage their garage. So keep an eye out for leaves, soil, water run off from your deck that could cause a problem above their damp proof membrane. It will probably be fine.

they cannot insist that you leave a bigger gap “so they have space for maintenance”. A home owner who wants space for maintenance should inset the wall of their building or not buy a property where the building runs right up to the property’s edge.

iF their garage wall is a party wall, meaning it sits astride the boundary with some of the wall on their property and some on your property, then you would have more rights.

if you aren’t interfering with the wall of their garage, you don’t need to tell them.

Just keep saying We respect your rights as owner of the garage and the land it is on. please respect our rights to use the land that we own on our side of your wall.
Maybe send them a box of chocolates, in due course , if things are still frosty.
Reassure them that if they need access to maintain their wall you will be reasonable. for example, they could ask to lift up the decking boards, provided they pay for it to be reassembled exactly as is, or better. (Realistically they will never ask).

If they keep bugging you, just say politely, I think we’ve answered your questions as fully as we can.

In time the dust will settle.

Jenny70 · 04/06/2020 02:50

Is there no setback rules for structures near rear boundary where you live?

I do agree that it would have been polite to have the conversation and show them the plans. Also I don't think the deck is well planned at all. Once the decking surface is on, you won't be able to see/remove things that build up under the decking against the garage wall. Let alone if you drop stuff down there (or kids do).

Sorry, I don't think you're being a good neighbour, regardless of your adhering to the law and not attaching things to their garage wall. If you didn't like looking at the garage wall, why did you buy it?

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:50

@zombiefan Thankyou for your understanding what to people expect me to do tip toe around that fucking garage I’m guttered as I really didn’t think I was doing any wrong by leaving that gap and if it was any bigger it’s not good for kids. Maybe if I had of drilled it to the wall I.e no gap then no weeds etc would Form there can’t win.

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:54

@jenny70 Iv never once said that I don’t like looking at the wall. It’s never been an issue my issue is my neighbours requested I didn’t drill there garage and I haven’t.

OP posts:
FredaNerkk · 04/06/2020 02:55

Is the rainwater downpipe on your land?

Perhaps put that gently in the conversation - look we’ve always been reasonable about your rainwater downpipe that’s technically on our land, so please don’t be difficult about a patio that is fully on our land

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 02:58

More pics

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 03:00

@FredaNerkk good point I just don’t think like that I’m so laid back. These people are fannies about everything. Shame as I wanted to get on but hey ho

OP posts:
ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 03:01

From those new pics it does look like the rainwater down pipe is on your land?

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 03:05

@ZombieFan it would never cross my mind to be arsey to them as I’m laid back like an easy life I’m all for admitting if I’m in the wrong but I can’t see it. Fed up

OP posts:
ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 03:14

Lifeisconfusing
Not suggesting you should be arsey, the builders have a lot to answer for. A slightly different layout would have avoided all these issues, especially with detached houses. But their is a way to deal with these things and your neighbours are not picking the nice way, you are entitled to use your garden the way you want.

Sorry that some people are dicks.

user1481840227 · 04/06/2020 03:27

How much of a gap did they leave between where their garage ends and the virtual boundary line starts? Surely it doesn't start right where the garage ends?

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 03:42

@ZombieFan ah I know you wee weren’t intending my to be arsey you’ve been so nice just meant I’m not like them and wouldn’t even think about petty things as people are dying in the world they need to get a life Hmm

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 04/06/2020 04:12

It would have been considerate and prudent to have talked to them about your plans before going ahead. Leaving a tiny gap and not touching the garage isn’t being a good neighbour, it’s obeying the letter of the law. Texting them after the plans are made and the workmen are there is pretty much pointless in terms of communication. I’m not surprised your neighbours are concerned. Especially if you talked about their garage being “in your garden” in an entitled and put upon manner as you did at the start of this thread.

What you have done could end up damaging their property and you don’t seem to have even thought about that aspect of your actions. If you fail to keep the gap clear and it does cause problems for neighbour’s property it could be expensive for them (and, eventually, you).

If you’d talked about it with them before hand you would have heard the concern and you might have decided to leave a significantly bigger gap with a fence along your deck to protect your kids, or place the decking elsewhere, or found some other way to make it easy to keep the gap between the deck and their property free of debris and the potential to cause damp.

However, the husband shouldn’t have come back with his dad to talk with the workmen again without approaching you for permission first.

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 04:14

Have to ask, was everyone involved in the garden incident 2m apart?

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 04:17

@BoomBoomsCousin I didn’t text them to get approval I txt to be courteous to say I didn’t touch there garage I didn’t for one minute think I’d done any harm!! surly if I had of drilled the fence post on the garage then they would be no gap therefore no issue.

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 04:19

@ZombieFan lol the dh and the dad where close but I was at a distance from the others.

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 04/06/2020 04:31

Texting your neighbours to let them know you are doing something that might damage their property the moment you start to do it isn’t courteous, it’s just a “fuck you” while smiling. It’s not surprising they are no longer well disposed to you.

Drilling the fence post into their garage would of course be worse as a fence abutting their wall with no gap would also likely cause damage to their property.

habibihabibi · 04/06/2020 04:31

Not a criticism, but just wondering what the decking is for. Is it a stage type thing ?
I'd be worried they will complain furniture on the deck is touching their wall. If I was you OP I'd put up a fence or move the deck close to your house.

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 04:48

A stage type thing no it’s simply to put furniture on and enjoy the sun in my garden. We have had the furniture near that back wall for months not touching the wall. I really don’t see the issue here at all Iv left a gap and I messaged as soon as the work started btw we are getting decking we are not touching your wall blah blah I was lovely to them they just so precious

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 04:51

Surly If I put a fence Up around that garage then I will be in the same boat having a small gap as I’m not having a fence 3 foot away from there sodding wall and loose garden.

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GnomeDePlume · 04/06/2020 04:52

The whole point about keeping a gap is to avoid bridging between the garage wall below and above the damp proof course.

From your pictures I can see that the building work is still going on. You say that your neighbours complain a lot to the builders? That is normal in a new build, it's called snagging. Have you not been doing this yourselves?

While the building trades are still on site is the best time to get all of the small problems of a newly built house sorted.

HalloumiSalad · 04/06/2020 05:05

I don't think you have done anything wrong at all. You didn't need to consult them but you did the decent thing.
The decking isn't going to give them problems the amount of rain splash bouncing off the decking and hitting their wall above their dpc would be minimal except in absolutely torrential rain and the wall would dry out before it gave internal 'damp issues'.
They're overreacting and have no right legally or ethically to impose their views on your garden alterations. If they don't like the situation they shouldn't have bought the house and you are abiding by the rules you agreed to.
They need to cool off and rethink their approach to dealing with things. They are behaving in an entitled rude way.
I feel for you because we recently had a wrinkle appear in our previously enjoyable neighbourly relations and it was a shame, I was really disappointed. Fortunately, time has ticked on and things are on the mend though I will be wary of getting too close with them again as it was an abuse of trust which I can forgive but won't forget. Once bitten and all that. Smile

ZombieFan · 04/06/2020 05:05

The whole point about keeping a gap is to avoid bridging between the garage wall below and above the damp proof course

This is an issue the neighbours should be suing taking up with the builders. Its not the ops fault for having perfectly normal decking.

Op does not have to give up 3 foot of her garden perimeter to leave a gap because the builders are shite.

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