What to do? Neighbour issues.

Chris2685

Not sure if this the right place, apologies if not.

I just go home from work to find 4 large loads of bricks and huge bags of cement on our driveway. The neighbours are directly opposite us, and have been digging up their drive for weeks now. A few weeks ago, they asked me if it was OK if they did some stuff that might go onto our driveway a bit. The landlord had agreed but asked them to ask us, as we were living here.

As I am a nice guy I said sure, and that was that.

Then I come home to find this. I'm not sure what to do. I might not have minded had I been told that it was going to be here, but who knows how long it will be there? No note through the door, nothing. The missus is due home any minute and I know she will be angry about it, as their works have already made us have difficulty with getting the pushchair out and they are now parking where our visitors used to park (not designated).

I just think it is annoying, and surely most people would have the decency of not dumping aload of stuff on their neighbours driveway?!

I don't want to cause any problems, so I don't know how to approach this. I was thinking of asking them to pay us something for use of the land, afterall they are friends of the landlord which I can assume is the only reason they even THINK they can do this, seeing as they never talked to us in the 6 months they've been here unless they wanted something.

Update: My missus has just come in and said he said that there would be "A few thing delivered" to put against our wall. It is taking up the whole front of our house.


Any suggestions?

MissMotivation

Go and ask them to move it?

I wouldn't get stressed about it TBH, they may be in the process of dealing with it, you won't know until you ask.

Ivrytwr3

I don't think you could be 'paid', by the neighbours as the landlord and yourself agreed to it.

My first port of call would be to the neighbours to ask them to move it, or get a date as to when it will be cleared.

If no joy there, contact the landlord; perhaps he was not expecting as much stuff either?

If he isn't prepared to resolve the situation, i would be asking for a rent deduction as you obviously aren't getting the full benefits of the house you are letting from him.

Chris2685

MissMotivation wrote: »

Go and ask them to move it?

I wouldn't get stressed about it TBH, they may be in the process of dealing with it, you won't know until you ask.

I'm too steamed right now...

MissMotivation

Chris2685 wrote: »

I'm too steamed right now...

Probably best to take a while to calm down, there's no point steaming round there for an arguement. I've got the worst temper in the world and I've learnt from past experience to give myself half an hour or so to calm down before I act on anything.

It's probably a huge misunderstanding. I agree with Ivrytwr3, if they can't move it straight away get them to agree to a timescale....preferably sooner rather than later.

Fire_Fox

Sounds like you gave permission, but there has been a serious lack of communication between you, the neighbours and their delivery drivers about how much is going to arrive! Maybe your neighbours didn't appreciate the scale of the delivery?

princeofpounds

Try not to get too angry about this one. Although what they have done is unreasonable, they probably thought in their minds that they were doing the right thing by asking and forgot the danger of minimising the problem.

I would just go and speak to them, say that there has been a breakdown of communication because you didn't realise that they works would be so big or start on this day from what they told you. Ask what their plans are - if they are going to remove it all quickly then it's a pain, but one that will be resolved. If not, then state that you will have to consider your position as you aren't happy about it, come back here and we'll try to help out.

mrcow

They may be starting work on it all tomorrow. It may all be gone by Monday.

If so, is it really worth starting an argument over?

Having a driveway done is a big job - there are bound to be inconveniences like reduced parking/builders etc. Don't go in complaining until you have established how long it's all going to take.

They are allowed to park where they like btw as long as it's legal.

tbs624

It matters not a jot that these neighbours are friends of your LL: they clearly misunderstand what a tenancy involves.

Whilst a tenant, you have "exclusive occupation" of the property and this includes the garden, driveway etc: the LL cannot offer out space on your drive to anyone without your consent which is why he will have told them to speak to you.

You should have clarified "what" and "when" and "how long" before agreeing. Go and talk to the neighbour and tell him that you were happy to be neighbourly about it temporarily for a couple of days but that you didn't agree to that level of inconvenience.*Tell* him and the LL what is acceptable to you, refuse any further deliveries (in writing if necessary) and give the neighbour a deadline to get it removed.