Scaffolding next door

Blushingm · 2025-02-13T11:37:03+00:00

I've had a snotty letter from the housing association who own next sort asking to call about scaffolding they want to erect. They want to put it in my garden (we'll have said they will be). I own my house. Do I have to allow them to - can I say no?

username299 · 13/02/2025 11:38

I believe you can say no as it's private property.

PragmaticIsh · 13/02/2025 11:53

You can say no. You can say yes and charge them a rental fee for each week it's there. I'd want a written agreement about damage, insurance etc and agreed dates.

Motnight · 13/02/2025 11:55

PragmaticIsh · 13/02/2025 11:53

You can say no. You can say yes and charge them a rental fee for each week it's there. I'd want a written agreement about damage, insurance etc and agreed dates.

I agree with this. If you do go ahead also make sure that you have plenty of photos in case of any damage done.

Bluevelvetsofa · 13/02/2025 12:56

Take photos before and after if you agree to it, for a fee. Ensure that when the work is done the scaffolding is removed promptly.

Geneticsbunny · 13/02/2025 12:59

Not letting someone put scaffolding up so they can fix their house is a bit of a knob move if you ask me. If everyone had this mindset it would be so hard to get things fixed. Plus if next door looks crappy and is falling down it will impact your house value so really you are just shooting yourself in the foot.
Just take pics before and after and don't leave anything super precious near the scaffolding and you will be fine.

angelinawasrobbed · 13/02/2025 13:09

Will they be using your garden for access at all during the build, or do they just need it to rest the legs on?

we had numerous issues with next door’s scaffolding, chiefly tools and equipment dropped into the garden, including a phone. And, when they were dismantling, a pole which dropped onto and neatly bisected my son’s plastic trike. Fortunately he wasn’t on it at the time.

they also used plastic sheeting ultimately as a shield to prevent more stuff dripping into our garden, when in my view they should have used mesh. The noise made by the sheeting in the wind was more than irritating, especially once it was torn and flapping loose

insist on some rules, and some rent. Scaffolders will leave the poles and planks up rather than pay for storage until next needed. You must get your garden back as soon as they are finished , and weekly rent is the best way to achieve that

Original poster

Blushingm · 13/02/2025 20:21

Next door doesn't look crappy - I'm not even sure what needs fixing - it's only 19 years old. They didn't need scaffolding in my garden when it was built so I'm not sure why they do - the woman couldn't tell me. Her attitude was awful though 'well have to do repairs so the scaffolding will be going in your garden' when I reminded her I own my house and am not one of their tenants she said 'well that doesn't matter it will be erected over the boundary as there's not enough room on our property'

What rent should I ask for if anything?

OP posts:

BooomShakeTheRoom · 13/02/2025 21:54

Blushingm · 13/02/2025 20:21

Next door doesn't look crappy - I'm not even sure what needs fixing - it's only 19 years old. They didn't need scaffolding in my garden when it was built so I'm not sure why they do - the woman couldn't tell me. Her attitude was awful though 'well have to do repairs so the scaffolding will be going in your garden' when I reminded her I own my house and am not one of their tenants she said 'well that doesn't matter it will be erected over the boundary as there's not enough room on our property'

What rent should I ask for if anything?

With that attitude, I’d just refuse. With a ‘next time don’t talk to people do rudely. Had you asked nicely I’d have considered it’.

stichguru · 13/02/2025 21:58

Given her attitude. "No it won't, or if it does, I will be getting the scrap mental men to remove it as soon as I see it."

MissSookieStackhouse · 13/02/2025 22:05

With that kind of attitude I’d tell them to fuck off. Who do they think they are making rude demands like that?

daffodilandtulip · 13/02/2025 22:07

The damage my NDN managed to do when the scaffolding wasn't even resting in my garden, it would be a very quick no from me! Plus, scaffolders leave it there for forever and a day.

Dolambslikemintsauce · 13/02/2025 22:14

No money is worth the hassle imo. Tell her it's no... A big fat no. Or an even bigger' fuck off its not going in my garden' no..
Do not give in. If men turn up you take down their business details for your solicitor - you tell them as you don't give permission...

Overthebow · 13/02/2025 22:18

I’d say no, especially as it’s going into spring soon and they leave it up for a long time.

OwlInTheOak · 13/02/2025 22:20

Is your house an ex council house? Ours has a clause from long ago when it was first purchased off the council that we noticed when buying it which said council have right to access for repairs of surrounding properties. Not had it used to test its reach though.

Original poster

Blushingm · 14/02/2025 04:00

No my house isn't ex council or anything.

There was a patch of land next door and 2 new houses were built, mine is much older.

OP posts:

FortuneFaded · 14/02/2025 04:09

I’d day no in these circumstances, and even more so with the rudeness.

We had next door’s scaffolding down the side path, it didn’t bother us at all and we could come and go as we needed to. However, we were asked nicely and had and agreement the builder gave us for any damage.

user1471505356 · 14/02/2025 08:54

I think if scaffolding is essential to complete repairs you are obliged to agree but with your provisos.

CellophaneFlower · 14/02/2025 09:09

user1471505356 · 14/02/2025 08:54

I think if scaffolding is essential to complete repairs you are obliged to agree but with your provisos.

I'm pretty sure there is always a way to erect scaffolding that won't encroach on a neighbour's land. It's just more expensive.

I don't think OP is obliged to allow it at all.

rwalker · 14/02/2025 09:22

Honestly life’s too short
I’d want time scale guarantee about mess damage and noise

not all scaffolding can be cantilevered as previous post said
any work at height requires scaffolding might not even be major work could be re fixing ridge tiles

there are laws about having to allow access for maintenance repairs it’s a long legal process but you can’t refuse

LaurieFairyCake · 14/02/2025 09:42

You just have to say no.

I'd send a cease and desist letter clearly saying that any encroachment on your property by any scaffolding or persons would be removed.

CatherinedeBourgh · 14/02/2025 09:47

Given their rudeness I would refuse unless they can come up with a court order mandating you to do it.

I'm sure they will find an alternative. It will just cost more. Not your problem.

Maray1967 · 14/02/2025 10:39

Not a chance. We’ve gladly allowed scaffolding on our side for both neighbours and it’s been reciprocated - because it’s been requested politely with assurances of timely removal and tidying up. A rude letter asserting a right gets a no from us.

placemats · 14/02/2025 12:42

The scaffolders will ask you if you have agreed and given consent before they put up the scaffold - or at least they SHOULD. When my neighbours needed scaffolding the builder knocked on my door to ask if I had agreed because they weren't going to proceed unless I had consented.

JohnofWessex · 14/02/2025 20:43

I might start by saying that in view of their attitude, and list what has happened the answer is no however suggesting that if they come back and play nicely this time then you may be minded to agree.

It does seem to me that if you do agree to them placing scaffolding on your property you are in a much stronger position in terms of how they behave than if they manage to squeeze it onto their land.

I would suggest that part of the conditions for allowing them to place scaffolding on your land is that they pay your costs to get a solicitor to draw up an agreement for them to use your land