Neighbours TERRIBLE scaffolding doing my head in

Seasonofthewitch83 · 2023-04-13T10:10:15+00:00

House across the street is a refurb job that has scaffolding up over the upper floor and roof for a year. They cover it with fabric but EVERY SINGLE TIME we have a windy day it rips off and flaps about. They have only fixed it twice in a year but I am reaching the end of my tether. Not only does it look HORRIBLE, like a war torn fucking ghost ship, the noise of the loose material keeps waking me up every single time its windy. Are there rules around how scaffolding has to be maintained? Not to be a priss about it but as you walk out of the local train station our street is on a hill and you can see this giant fucking eyesore. Its making me irrationally angry that they clearly dont give a shit about anyone else! We are often finding their building crap blown all over the street and gardens.

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:12

novel idea perhaps… but why don’t you go and have a conversation with them?

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:13

you sound very very very angry about it 😐

Popcorn640 · 13/04/2023 11:16

You'd be reasonable discussing the noise the material makes and can they have the material taken down.
You'd be unreasonable going on about it being an eyesore.

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 11:17

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:12

novel idea perhaps… but why don’t you go and have a conversation with them?

There is no one living there - I never see the builders as they arrive after I leave for work.

OP posts:

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 11:18

Popcorn640 · 13/04/2023 11:16

You'd be reasonable discussing the noise the material makes and can they have the material taken down.
You'd be unreasonable going on about it being an eyesore.

That is just my own personal axe to grind I know, just having a whinge! It is the noise that disturbs me that then makes me angry about the whole thing. Irrationally angry of course!

OP posts:

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:20

Speak with the builders and ask them to secure the fabric

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:21

So no one there
You never see the builders
leave a note and stick somewhere visible on property asking builders to secure fabric

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 11:24

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:21

So no one there
You never see the builders
leave a note and stick somewhere visible on property asking builders to secure fabric

Do you think they actually will though?

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SmokyForTheWin · 13/04/2023 11:28

I think scaffolding has to be checked weekly, for safety reasons. I might be wrong though.

Facem81 · 13/04/2023 11:28

I don’t know!

bit more chance of it resolving the issue than starting a thread about your anger at the situation on mumsnet

Stratocumulus · 13/04/2023 11:32

Might it be worth a chat with local council Environmental health? If it’s disturbing your mental health due to disturbed sleep they might help or make suggestions to get it dealt with.

Can you enlist help with other neighbours to get it secured properly by a petition to scaffolders or building site foreman?

Have you phoned the scaffolding manager, speak to the MD?
There should be a contact number on the scaffold. Also, it’s the main building contractor’s responsibility to make sure everything on the site is secure. He will have hired the scaffolding company so the buck stops with him/her. A flapping tarpaulin could raise massive danger issues to the scaffold integrity.

Put a polite post on local FB pages and get some contributory comments to back you up? You might discover that others have concerns too.

You have my empathy OP. I would hate it too. I hope it gets sorted out soon.

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 11:54

Thanks for the helpful replies!

I am being tongue in cheek with my post, I promise I am not being that dramatic about it in real life, so need for the snark.

There is no sign up on the scaffolding.

I never see the foreman or the workers.

I don't want to put a note through the door because I don't know if they are actually OBLIGED to do anything. Thats my question! Because they are clearly well aware the fabric is loose and broken off and arent trying to fix it themselves.

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WillHe · 13/04/2023 12:14

Perhaps you have ghostly builders? You just can't see them.
If it makes you feel better, if they've hired the scaffolding it will be costing a bomb.
If the scaffold is dangerous, unsecured (tied into the building)
Not got proper signage, boarding, toeboards, handrails, access - then you could report to the HSE.....

Skybluepinky · 13/04/2023 12:16

Go talk to yr neighbours, it’s then that can sort it.

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 12:25

Skybluepinky · 13/04/2023 12:16

Go talk to yr neighbours, it’s then that can sort it.

There is no one living there.

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Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 12:25

WillHe · 13/04/2023 12:14

Perhaps you have ghostly builders? You just can't see them.
If it makes you feel better, if they've hired the scaffolding it will be costing a bomb.
If the scaffold is dangerous, unsecured (tied into the building)
Not got proper signage, boarding, toeboards, handrails, access - then you could report to the HSE.....

Thanks! This is what I was after.

Stupid ghostie builders!

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PuffinsRocks · 13/04/2023 12:25

Just ignore that poster they must have got out of bed on the wrong side they've had at least 3 posts deleted on another thread.

Any idea when the scaffolding is due to end? No point starting something if it's coming down in a week. I'd maybe chat with your neighbours and use that as a starting point to decide whether to bring up with them about the issues. They might be having problems getting their builders to turn up and do the work or something.

PinkFootstool · 13/04/2023 12:31

Yes, there are set rules on scaffolding and safety which they have to abide by.

The Health and Safety Executive have enforcement responsibility here, not your local council.

The scaffolding must be built to specific parameters for the job they are doing to be safe. If you think it might be unsafe, such as the flapping covers potentially making it unsafe (the noise isn't something they will care about), take some photos of the whole structure and send them to the HSE.

It must also be regularly inspected by a competent person (usually the scaffolders but can be someone else trained up), and after things like the winds we had in the SW yesterday, if the weather or something else (car hitting it, covers being pulled off in the wind etc) could have affected it it has to be inspected again before it is used.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Tell us about a health and safety issue - Contact HSE

Tell us about a health and safety issue in your workplace, another workplace or a public space.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 12:31

PuffinsRocks · 13/04/2023 12:25

Just ignore that poster they must have got out of bed on the wrong side they've had at least 3 posts deleted on another thread.

Any idea when the scaffolding is due to end? No point starting something if it's coming down in a week. I'd maybe chat with your neighbours and use that as a starting point to decide whether to bring up with them about the issues. They might be having problems getting their builders to turn up and do the work or something.

Thanks :)

I dont want to be that whingey in real life about it to the point I start moaning to the neighbours about it (I save that for Mumsnet!). No one knows who owns the property - was purchased as an investment to do up and sell on I believe.

The work is crawling along at snails pace - I cant see any open areas on the building that need protection now from the rain (they did a loft conversion) but I dont know if legally scaffolding needs that fabric.

I know building sites have a complaints procedure but I have no idea about residential building works.

OP posts:

Original poster

Seasonofthewitch83 · 13/04/2023 12:31

PinkFootstool · 13/04/2023 12:31

Yes, there are set rules on scaffolding and safety which they have to abide by.

The Health and Safety Executive have enforcement responsibility here, not your local council.

The scaffolding must be built to specific parameters for the job they are doing to be safe. If you think it might be unsafe, such as the flapping covers potentially making it unsafe (the noise isn't something they will care about), take some photos of the whole structure and send them to the HSE.

It must also be regularly inspected by a competent person (usually the scaffolders but can be someone else trained up), and after things like the winds we had in the SW yesterday, if the weather or something else (car hitting it, covers being pulled off in the wind etc) could have affected it it has to be inspected again before it is used.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/tell-us-about-a-health-and-safety-issue.htm

Aha! Thank you!!!

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OneFrenchEgg · 13/04/2023 13:56

To add to @PinkFootstool here's the bits you may want to refer to /reference

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/scaffoldinginfo.htm

christmastreefarm · 13/04/2023 14:25

House near me had this issue - was also dangerous as on a main road it could have caused an accident if some flew off and it landed on a car blinding the driver.

Cleoforever · 13/04/2023 15:13

dont want to be that whingey in real life about it to the point I start moaning to the neighbours about i

why does it have to be “whingey”?

why wouldn’t you leave a polite note externally asking the builders to secure the fabric unless you know they are OBLIGED TO

have a pleasant no drama chat with your neighbours to determine if they share your concern

leave a note for builders. A polite drama free one.

and see how it goes

can’t believe that you go straight to anger and whinging

Cleoforever · 13/04/2023 15:14

Do you only do considerate things for people if you are OBLIGED TO?

WillHe · 13/04/2023 21:15

@PinkFootstool & @OneFrenchEgg we came to Mumsnet for the kids and stayed to flex our construction law, hell we're amazing.