Access To My Garden

NowWhat_2

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Paparika

I'm sorry? Since when is it law to allow painters in to your property to paint fascias? Tell the tight sod to use scaffolding. And put a padlock on your gate.

adaze

I think your neighbour would have access, as you have said for his fence, (i.e. maintenance) but if he has a wall etc. that borders your property I would imagine he could also "maintain" this as well as any guttering, pipes etc.

I would just make sure you are there and take pictures before, after, during. If you make your presence felt then I can't imagine the painter would feel like doing much other than the fence.

As for the trespassing, just keep an eye on things, if it starts happening with any regularity it may be worth a CCTV camera, though that could be a clear sign to your neighbour and could make the relationship worse. Could the gate just have blown open?

The only other thing I can think of is the specifying of times, I don't know enough to say if you can do that or not...

paddy's_mum

I'm not a lawyer but common sense would suggest that agreeing access at times to suit you is perfectly reasonable.

Your neighbour could apply for Court permission if you refused him access. Can you imagine a judge's comments if your neighbour said "oh yes m'lud - Mr NowWhat did indeed agree access, which was kind of him, but wants the work done only when he is at home so as to prevent intrusion and the potential for damage. Your Highness cannot agree that taking steps to protect one's most valuable asset, its gardens and the privacy of one's home is a reasonable or sensible thing to do!"

Your neighbour may feel that working on a Sunday is not the best idea. Would asking a friend or relative to babysit the house on Friday be an acceptable compromise. Your neighbour would then have Friday and Saturday available.

There are indeed neighbours who will walk all over you if given even half a chance so you have my sympathy (been there and done that!) Equally, don't let your dislike of the neighbour push you into being awkward and unreasonable which simply gives him ammunition to use against you at some future point.

missile

It should not take long to paint facia boards, probably less than one day and I would be asking for an estimate and agree a particular day and time for access, not simply Saturday and Sundays. If work is not completed I would agree another day and time.

Might be an idea to speak to the painter direct. Most people are reasonable and if you explain your concerns, I feel sure he will do his very best to avoid damaging your plants etc. If he does then you can claim damages, check your home insurance for legal protection.

Doozergirl

Everyone is entitled to maintain there property from neighbouring land if there is no other way to access it - as long as it is either left the way it was, or returned to that state.

Sorry, but it sounds like you are being the awkward one in this scenario. Even if I hated my neighbours, I wouldn't pay a tradesperson extra to "wreak havoc". I'm sure they are only painting the fascia boards because they need to, not as a way to get at you. Plus it improves the outlook from your property as well.

robnye

why does the painter need access via your garden to paint the facia boards.... surely they run along the back of the house, if i was painting mine, i coul dmanage it without crossing into neighbours garden

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

NowWhat wrote: »

Its not the painter I am worried about - its my neighbour coming in illicitly with him - or telling him I have given permission for work that isnt necessary for "maintenance" purposes (and I therefore havent agreed to, as it affects me, but not him)

If they want to paint the fasias and access can only be gained from your property you almost certainly dont have any rights to stop them... (deeds will confirm(

However i must say there must be more to this than meets the eye... Is anyone else wondering what the full picture is?

Are you expecting him to paint your entire house pink or something?

Supergirl_3

Why would he wait till there is a painter there to wreak havoc when supposidly he has already tresspassed and could have done whatever damage then?

I know youre holding something back here, but I think considering there will be this third party person there (the painter) then anything untoward is less likely to happen.

I would stand outside while the job is being done, maybe even offer to make the painter a cup of tea. What I wouldn't do is tell the painter you have any grudges against your neighbour and youre suspicious, just be friendly and I'm sure just the painting will be done the he'll be off.

Good luck anyway x

missile

Let's not read too much into this. For whatever reason OP dislikes his neighbour. Maybe he does not want to give details on open forum and there is no reason he should.

No matter how freindly my neighbours might be, I wouldn't like them wandering in and out of my garden whilst I was not there.

missile

To avoid any "missunderstanding" as to what you have agreed, you might want to give a brief politely worded note to your neighbour.

I am pleased to grant access to your painter for the purposes of painting your eaves on Saturday .... I hope you will ask him to take care not to damage my plants.

I hope all goes well for you and hopefully the painter will be in and out of your garden with the minimum of inconvenience to you.