For the sake of keeping peace?

ConfusedAgain · 4 March 2011 at 10:22PM

Long story shortish - My better half and I live in a house converted into a block of flats. The house next to us is also being converted. Some of the people in our house of flats have been having problems with the builders and the developer (IMHO, some of it is really on the petty side but there are some real concerns in there that might effect us in the future - we've personally so far had very few problems with the whole thing). After one very real concern involving her plumbing, one of the neighbours has decided to get legal help involved. As it affects the whole building, she's asked everybody to chip in.

Whilst the amount isn't huge, we've had some financial upsets recently so not having the money would be noticeable to us. To put it bluntly, if she had asked us before going ahead, we would have come straight out and said we couldn't afford it. We don't really get along that well with the neighbours (our welcome was basically being told to move our car because we were taking the space nearest the door whilst trying unpack....although the person who technically "owns" that space doesn't even own a car?!?...plus there's constant updates on the petty problems they have with the builders). However, the neighbour in particular who has asked for the money is fairly nice and has always been reasonably friendly towards us.

Was wondering what other MSEs would do in the situation? On the one hand, I feel really put out asking to contribute money I don't really have to solve a problem that is only marginal for me. On the other hand, I don't want to worsen relationships with our neighbours.

Clarie_2 · 4 March 2011 at 10:33PM

As you say you get on well with the neighbour who has asked, I'd just be brave and be honest with her as you put it 'We recognise there are very real problems with the building work. However so far we have only suffered minimal problems. Please count on us for support in terms of backing up your claims and providing evidence but financially, we aren't in a position to help pay for legal costs. "

How does that sound?
Another option may be to offer a smaller amount than they've asked for?

Clarie