neighbour problem

teaandcoffee_2

Hi folks

Have posted under a different name as I’m looking for advice on how to tackle an issue with a neighbour.

My next door neighbour’s driveway is tarmaced and they have a drain to catch the excess water at the bottom of it.
This drain flows onto my driveway. My driveway is stones and at a lower level to the house next door.

The drain is a 4-5 inch orange pipe and comes out under the bottom rung of my fence. Technically it is in my property by about 2-3 inches.

I have kerbs along this side of my driveway and the water is flowing over them and leaving a green moss

Where the water collects at the bottom corner of my drive (it doesn’t just drain away quickly) I also have a patch of moss and algae and a lack of stones!

We are in the house a couple of years but the neighbours drive has been tarmaced longer than this.

Even in dry weather we have a puddle due to flower watering and car washing

I’m looking for advice on what to do about this, to tarmac your driveway and have the drain to blatantly run into someone else’s’ is taking the mick.

thanks

belfastgirl23

Seriously. Do you have to ask this? Does someone really have to say to you to nicely ask the neighbour if there might be a different drainage solution?

I think a common sense approach is called for here...

teaandcoffee_2

As I said we are in the house a couple of years but the neighbours drive has been tarmaced longer than this. This is an issue which we have inherited (and was nicely discreet when we first moved in).

Approaching someone after this length of time is easier said than done especially when I anticipate the response to be; well we can’t lift up the tarmac. :wall:

I am really just looking for advice on what the options could be to resolve this, as to be honest I think it is completely unacceptable and would actually just like to put a cap (lid) on the pipe and see how much they like puddles and moss. But this type of confrontation will cause problems

belfastgirl23

teaandcoffee wrote: »

As I said we are in the house a couple of years but the neighbours drive has been tarmaced longer than this. This is an issue which we have inherited (and was nicely discreet when we first moved in).

Approaching someone after this length of time is easier said than done especially when I anticipate the response to be; well we can’t lift up the tarmac. :wall:

I am really just looking for advice on what the options could be to resolve this, as to be honest I think it is completely unacceptable and would actually just like to put a cap (lid) on the pipe and see how much they like puddles and moss. But this type of confrontation will cause problems

I'm really really not getting why this is a neighbour problem. This arrangement was in place before you moved in. You haven't told your neighbour it's a problem. How can they resolve it if they don't know about it? My guess is they would be right to say they can't dig up their drive to fix it but perhaps they could offer (or you could suggest) that they remove the moss periodically. Would that be an adequate compromise?

But if you can't get the nerve up to talk to them about it, don't blame them for that, it's your failing. At least give them an opportunity to make things right before taking action.

But if this is the worst thing you can say about your neighbours believe me you really don't know how lucky you are.

teaandcoffee_2

I really don’t understand your hostility to this post or to me.

How can they resolve it if they don't know about it? They know about it as it was my neighbour who tarmaced his own driveway and hence put in the pipe in the first place.

But if you can't get the nerve up to talk to them about it, don't blame them for that, it's your failing.
A personal attack on me! Did that make you feel better?

I have no problem speaking to them, however since I think it is completely unacceptable to get rid of anything by just throwing it into next door and let it be their problem I was merely looking for another persons perspective on a solution.

Greatgimp

Could you come up with a reason why you want an alternative drainage method? 'I want to put a flower bed along there but I can't because of the (soapy) water draining onto what would be a flower bed.'

Greatgimp

Any drains nearby you could pipe it into by going under your driveway?

mypie

Your neighbour may not even realise that it is causing you a problem and can honestly say if I was you neighbour and you called to my door with this problem I would be only to happy to fix it.

leftieM

I doubt that your neighbour decided to drain water into your property. No doubt some workman put the drain in. Workmen don't usually consult homeowners about the location of everything (especially if they are cutting corners!)
Give them a chance to put it right and then take it from there.

bribrian

You could build a wall on your side of the property & that way the water couldn't escape onto your land & your neighbour could have his very own pond to put goldfish in........

HOPE

teaandcoffee wrote: »

I really don’t understand your hostility to this post or to me.

How can they resolve it if they don't know about it? They know about it as it was my neighbour who tarmaced his own driveway and hence put in the pipe in the first place.

But if you can't get the nerve up to talk to them about it, don't blame them for that, it's your failing.
A personal attack on me! Did that make you feel better?

I have no problem speaking to them, however since I think it is completely unacceptable to get rid of anything by just throwing it into next door and let it be their problem I was merely looking for another persons perspective on a solution.

I really sympathise with you. I suggest you seek advice first from your local Council or Citizens Advice prior to speaking to your neighbour. Severe damage has been caused to my property due to a neighbour working at drains resulting in water coming into my garden. It is like a pond. The Rivers Agency came out and inspected but loathe to get involved. My neighbour has refused to put it right and I need to seek legal advice. Your neighbour is responsible for your problem but will be loathe to spend money to rectify it.