Neighbours need to put scaffolding in my garden

[Strawberry06]

Hi

My neighbours (semi detached) are building a two story extension and have asked if its ok for the builders to put scaffolding in my garden in order to access the roof.

This has all come at really bad timing as me and my husband have recently separated and he has moved away so I've not had the headspace to deal with it at the moment so haven't given them an answer and now they are really pressuring me.

I don't really want scaffolding in my garden for a number of reasons. They have assured me there will be no damage and that it will be there max 2 weeks but I don't see how they can guarantee. Also, there's a chance I may have to put the house on the market so I don't want it there for that reason.

What are my rights on this? They have said that not putting the scaffolding would seriously impact them and they wont be able to finish the build. Are they right? I don't see why it should encroach on my land!

Please just say no op. Do it today.

You're not doing yourself any favours dragging this on. You're making things stressful for yourself going over and over it. And your neighbours are getting frustrated. I know they're not your concern but I can understand why they're losing patience.

Just say no and everyone can move on.

This is exactly what I feared would happen. Those who are encouraging OP to say no - surely this is being very naive?
OP, your options are not:

• say yes and have 2+ weeks of disruption to your life

-vs no and have a lovely peaceful summer in your garden.

No = still get noisy dusty building work going on, which is now taking longer due to lack of scaffolding access. Progressively bitter neighbour war, having a daily impact on your already fragile mental health. Potential for them to sabotage your sale to spite you at the end of it all. You won't be able to complain to the council as it will come up on searches. You are in a vulnerable position.

Best option now is to swallow the bitter pill, negotiate terms that work for you and just get through the next couple of weeks. Focus on your goals: good mental health and selling house. Starting a neighbour war, although very tempting, will do nothing to achieve these goals.

Surely naivety is believing the scaffolding will only be there for two weeks and that any dirt/damage will be put right straight away with no arguments.

Happened for me when we let neighbours do it
and when we had roof done and 3 scaffolding legs put in Next doors all good I spoke with Nextdoor confirmed where they were going got them to put extra pads under scaffolding legs so it didn’t leave rust marks

the key thing is to talk to everyone then they all know what’s going where and when

If they're already being arseholes because OP hasn't given them an answer, do you honestly think they'll abide by any contract terms or be reasonable when she questions after two weeks why the scaffolding isn't coming down? They are showing her who they are and how they'll behave. She'd be crazy to say yes now. A bit of a parking wars is nothing compared to the stress of having builders swarming over her property for ages and a neighbour who won't give a toss that it's impacting her.

What Ponderingwindow says - exactly.
Plus, if you want to enjoy your garden over summer - specify e.g. from 1 September onwards.

Whenever we have had scoffolding, it has been removed pronto!
If you say no, what happens if you need access to their land for maintenance?

@1SillySossij I'd find another way. I wouldn't want to bother them at all. If it was essential repairs then they'd have to let me which it would only ever be to my existing property.

Even before all this I wouldn't even bother them for a cup of sugar. Never really spoke to them despite trying. The husband has always been miserable and unapproachable (except when he wants something clearly)

When they moved in we took round a card, chocolates and a pack of tea towels hoping to get along with them like we did the previous couple and I always felt their reaction was 'wtf is this' instead of saying thankyou.

Op you're going round in circles.

Just say no. I can tell you don't want to.

Send the message right now. You've had some good suggestions already for what to write.

@Usernumber12356 Yes I have told them No

We're so built up in living places in this country often that we simply cannot do some building or access work without slightly and temporarily encroaching on neighbours land.

You're going through alot atm but two weeks isn't much at all, and it's unlikely your house woukd go to market in that time, it does sound like a niegh iurly thing to do and it also sounds like the neighbour wants to be as efficient as possible.

Just say no. They need to work it out a different way.

Good for you. I hope they don't keep going on at you. I guess they'll annoy you by parking funny and all for a while but it will pass.

Well done - stick to your guns!

Good decision. I doubt they'll take it well but if they persist in harassing you just block them.

@SuperTrooper14 it's right. Given what you've said about the neighbours, they don't seem to care about how their building work affects anyone else and you've no reason to trust that they'd follow through with anything you agree.

Even without your difficult circumstances at the moment that's enough reason to say no.

Look after yourself and your child.

That’s your problem to solve, not your neighbours.

You’re deriving a financial benefit from all the upheaval (even if it’s years later) and the neighbour gets fuck all with a dose of feck off for their trouble.

In the OP’s position, I’d definitely say no.

This. Especially as they have tried to guilt her into it by saying that the materials are arriving next week etc,

If you want a favour from your neighbour, you don't go about it like this.

There’s a very similar thread on mse that may be of some use to you

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6612724/neighbours-need-to-put-scaffolding-in-my-garden#latest

@Residentnumber1 I think it's pretty clear that's the same OP. Might be polite to delete the link.

Maybe do - but before we arrange any building work it’s your responsibility to check that your neighbours are are ok with you encroaching on their land, even if it’s just a small area or for a short period of time. What you don’t do is proceed regardless, book the builders, get very close to the start date and then get annoyed when your neighbour refuses (as is their absolute right).

She’s anticipating selling her house which I suspect does put a little more pressure on the situation.

What happened in the end? I hope they haven’t been nasty to you. Last thing you need.

There should be a party wall agreement if they are a semi. You can use this to agree scaffold and terms. I would agree but have a time limit in writing and financial penalties after that, plus stipulate what happens if any damage.