Issues regarding neighbours' shed blocking cavity wall insulation

patwa_2

Hi. This is just a pre-emptive question, sorry if it's in the wrong place.

Got a call last week for cavity wall insulation. It'll be the second time an attempt is made at having it done. The first attempt last year was called off at the last minute as it was found that a neighbour's shed in front of our house was blocking the wall.

Anyway, I asked the lady on the phone if the same issue would crop up again, and she told me it would be my task to ask the neighbours if they would mind their shed being temporarily moved. I can't remember if she said the guys doing the insulation would move it or not but...

Just wondering, obviously as it's the neighbour's property they have the final say as to whether or not to shift it, but is there any law or decree about neighbours deliberately blocking attempts to have maintainance/work done on adjoining/neighbouring property? I mean, one would hope that for a genuine reason such as cavity wall insulation, they would see the reason for the move, but what if they don't?

Thanks.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

Access to a neighbour’s land for repairs


If you want to carry out repairs to property or land you may need to have access to your neighbouring property or land in order to carry out these repairs.



There may be a right of entry specifically for the purposes of inspection or repair in the property’s legal documents. If there is no such right, or no agreement can be reached, the law allows you as the person wishing to carry out repairs to apply to the county court for an access order allowing you to enter your neighbour’s land to carry out the repairs. There is a fee for the application

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/housing/neighbour_disputes.htm#Commonneighbourdisputes

I'd list cavity wall insulation as being a repair. If you get on with your neighbours then have a natter about it. Tell 'em you'll pay for any damage caused by moving their shed.
If you don't get on with 'em then get an access order from the courts.

patwa_2

Ah thanks. I'll pass that on, as it's not myself that would have the final say as to the go ahead, but it's handy to know that the law does allow some protection for these things. What is the usual timescale for an order to be applied for, the case heard and it granted and the paperwork received? I mean, are we talking all go trapesing into court with a full-scale hearing committee or is it an over the phone thing or a letter, or what? The people would probably be coming to do the work next week,but we haven't had the date confirmed, and we'd probably have less than 7 days to get the matter sorted.

It was a fluke that the company called back re: the insulation, we really don't want to miss this opportunity. Of course, I go back to my original post, this is just pre-emptive, we don't see much of those neighbours but mum has never had anything bad to say about them.

looby-loo_2

Could they do if from the inside?

patwa_2

Hi and thanks for moving the thread. Not trying to excuse myself, but due to using this magnification software, I usually see the main board headings but sometimes miss the sub-boards. anyway, any infraction is totally non-intentional and I thank you for your guidance.

No complaints. You're welcome.

FilthyLuka

Personally I would not class installation of Cavity Wall insulaton as a repair - it is more like an improvement (i.e. no insulation currently to be repaired)

For that reason i would be particularly nice to the neighbour and not demand that they shift their shed (I'm not suggesting that you would) as the law may not support you

However if you had to carry out a true repair (e.g. make good rendering or re-point, then maybe if shed were shifted for this you could have the cavity wall ins done at the same time?

How big an area is the shed blocking? if its only a couple of square metres it may still be worth having the majority of the house done if your neighbours do dig their heels in

patwa_2

Yay, it's probably 6 feet at most. But the company wouldn't do the insulation last time for the rest of the property, it was all or nothing.

The insulation scheme is a conditional one, available to anyone free as long as they meet the criteria, we would rather take it up now as no idea when they'll be by again.