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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
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chickedeee · 04/06/2020 17:43

I bought a property like yours fifteen years ago we solved this issue by -putting up a fence with a foot gap between us.

This meant- we could grow up plants
We did not cause damp by breaching their damp course (which may happen if you have wood close to the wall). Aware if this as an issue as the same garden (on the other side) we had a patio built which breached their garages damp course due to the shingle being higher than the damp proof membrane Blush

Out situation was different as our neighbours had a 'right if access' to maintain their garage. It was never used however they could have Sad

Ironically when we moved out the people that bought our house tore down the fence and hung lots of plants off the garage 🤷‍♀️

Unfortunately new housing estates (i have lived in three) create these issues!

Personally I would not have put the wood so close, although i understand why as you want to maximise your garden space.

No easy answers sorry- pm me if you want more info as we took legal advice- your solicitor should have checked this out .

chickedeee · 04/06/2020 17:48

Also playing football against the wall sounds awful from the other side (again had this in another property!)Wink

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 17:48

@chickedeee thanks for info we have doubled the gap now.

OP posts:
Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 17:49

@chickedeee wouldn’t let my kids touch the wall and kick a ball off it always teach them to have respect for others.

OP posts:
chickedeee · 04/06/2020 17:58

Good luck with the new house Wink

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 04/06/2020 18:04

@bilbodog

I would lay the decking further away from the garage and erect a large trellis in front if the garage wall - leave at least 6” between the trellis and the garage wall. You could then dig a flower bed between the trellis and decking and grow some climbing plants up the trellis to hide the garage wall.
I agree with this.

We had decking up against a wall. We'd left about 2 inches gap all around, but it does really quickly fill up with leaves and moss, and was constantly damp.
The decking posts rotted, there was mould underneath, it was disgusting. Had to rip it all out after just a few years. I strongly suggest leaving a decent gap, and making sure it doesn't get clogged up.

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 04/06/2020 18:05

Haha trust me to read 90% of a thread and then xpost

PanamaPattie · 04/06/2020 18:09

I bet the decking will look really smart when it’s finished. Enjoy catching the sun there OP and raise a glass to your considerate neighbours!

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 18:44

It needs painted etc but happy with it

(Picture attached)Fell out with neighbours over a garage wall. Help!!
OP posts:
TulipsfromAmsterdam · 04/06/2020 20:41

It looks nice finished. I like the idea of trellis behind but that would be an issue for clearing debris. Could the gap be plastic lined and gravel be put down to stop weeds?
Enjoy it.

TinkerPony · 04/06/2020 22:04

It's lovely great job

Lifeisconfusing · 04/06/2020 22:49

Update!! our neighbour has apologised they can see we didn’t touch there garage and that we have made the gap bigger. Let’s hope it’s the last of it now Smile

OP posts:
Thisismytimetoshine · 04/06/2020 22:57

How did they manage to see it in the dark when it's in your garden, I wonder.

mumsy27 · 05/06/2020 02:25

looks nice, hope you and neighbours can move on.

GnomeDePlume · 05/06/2020 05:41

Lifeisconfusing that's a good result. Sounds like the garage is a sore point for them, saw you putting the deck in and panicked. You have made a modest compromise by moving the deck a bit but still retained your overall right to do what you want in your garden.

I wonder if neighbour DH plus DFiL got all puffed up to go and 'sort it out'. Came home all pleased with themselves then got sharp rebuke from neighbour DW for causing unnecessary upset!

Well done OP, enjoy your new deck.

HeronLanyon · 05/06/2020 05:55

GnomedePlume your wondering about them puffed up going to ‘sort it out’ etc made me laugh out loud. I think there may well be a lot of truth in that!

HalloumiSalad · 05/06/2020 08:24

OoooooO I love a good update. 😁 If you've had an actual apology that sounds like all is well again to me. Great conclusion and the decking looks like a most enjoyable sun trap.

YouDancin · 05/06/2020 08:45

Great result - them apologising. And the decking looks a lovely place to relax.

Lubeylube · 05/06/2020 09:04

Your neighbours are mad. We have exactly the same situation. We have put a basketball net on there and attached a goal to it. The neighbours couldnt care less, we aren't going to be causing any structural damage and neither are you. It wouldn't even cross my mind to ask to put decking there, it's my garden, I'll do as I want. People have decking put in next to their houses.

ZombieFan · 05/06/2020 11:11

I have never lived with decking but can't the last panel of the deck beside the garage wall be a removable one? They are only screwed in aren't they?

Lifeisconfusing · 05/06/2020 12:41

@ZombieFan yeah we will take of panels easily and we would by all means let them in garden to let them maintain it. Cos we are nice like that 🤣😂. Thanks for your lovely reply’s and for putting a few no it alls in there place.

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Itwasntme1 · 05/06/2020 13:31

Glad it worked out. Keep an eye on these neighbours though. They will be a nightmare over the years

Lifeisconfusing · 05/06/2020 14:38

@Itwasntme1 I bloody hope not 🤪

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intheningnangnong · 05/06/2020 16:32

Glad they’ve apologised. As they really do need to stay on your good side. As a PP said They'll have a legal right to access for maintenance purposes yes but they have to take you to court for you to grant it.... always pays to be nice.

Great decking BTW

Thisismytimetoshine · 06/06/2020 16:00

Of course they wouldn't. Your legal right to do something doesn't have to be "granted" by anybody, it already exists Confused