Neighbour has access to my back yard. Could this be a future problem?

spannerzone

Many older properties are like this, my end of terrace is - next door was divided into two flats and the ground floor access is at the back and they have a right of way across my back garden into theirs. This was clearly stated on the deeds and by the estate agent. It's not at all uncommon but you need to clarify their rights etc.

It might be that they have rights to their property by crossing yours but they might have made other assumptions such as it being a communal yard or similar. Many people will make assumptions about right of way rather than check the actual facts so it's best you find out all you can before confronting the neighbour and explaining what is acceptable and what isn't. It may be nothing more than them not actually knowing.

Incyder

It would be good if you could take some pics of the extension, gate, yard etc and post them here to give a clear idea of how this all looks.

anticlaus105

Cheers for all the replies so far.

Here are some pictures as requested to give a better idea. The neighbour’s extension is the red building. The gate to the right of it leads into my yard. The above shot shows where the door is (not a very good picture).

Incyder

Blimey, well done, first thoughts is perhaps his planning permission was for a big chicken house.

finnigan

Have you looked at what they were given permission to build on the council's planning website?

anticlaus105

finnigan wrote: »

Have you looked at what they were given permission to build on the council's planning website?

Wow excellent idea. Looks like the planning app was April 1991 and mentions decision approved with conditions for ERECTION OF AN EXTENSION PART SINGLE PART TWO STOREY AT REAR OF SHOP... Does this mean I need to move quickly as 20 years will be approaching?

I will call the council tomorrow to find the conditions.

mark5

Is it possible that when the red building was built that both properties were owned by the same person?

anticlaus105

mark5 wrote: »

Is it possible that when the red building was built that both properties were owned by the same person?

From reading a bit of the planning app that I left out and knowing the history of my building this would actually make sense.

I will get the deeds for both proerties I think and have a better look as well as calling the council.

How can I check historical owners of properties. Will they be listed in the deeds?

molerat

Fence off from their door to the gate and put another gate in the fence or do this http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3023589/Gran-boarded-in-by-museum-wall.html

rosyw

molerat wrote: »

Fence off from their door to the gate and put another gate in the fence or do this http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3023589/Gran-boarded-in-by-museum-wall.html

Reading through I was about to say the same! but if you find they have no right of access BLOCK IT OFF!

I have recently moved into a property which shares a driveway, my place being at the end of it and I have a parking and turning area at the front, the neighbours had got into the habit of using the turning area, which is actually my property, so they could back into thier place, and over xmas I found one of their friends had actually parked there! I had a chat with the previous owners and found there had been some disputes over this, so I simply had a pair of gates put up, exactly on the boundary, "to stop my dog getting loose" :rotfl: No arguments, nothing said, but neighbour has now got the message!!