allowing neghbour to put scaffolding on my decking??

summersmum25

Any advice would be gratefully received, my neighbour has won planning permission to build a 2nd storey extension, we opposed the extension so are feeling a little bruised, he came round last night to say he will be starting in a couple of weeks and wants to put scaffolding on our decking for 5-6 weeks!!! This would mean that we can't use the patio doors in the lounge or the decking and I'm concerned about damage too as it is a raised deck. I don't want to be awkward but really feel like telling him to bog off!

i was considering drawing up an agreement (as I dont trust him) to set out how long it will be in place, who will be responsible for mess and damage etc, any suggestions??

Thanks

ankspon

If you opposed the plans then do not be bullied into letting him use your property.Tell him no you do not want your property or decking compromised in any way,he cannot do it without your permission.

DVardysShadow

summersmum25 wrote: »

i was considering drawing up an agreement (as I dont trust him) to set out how long it will be in place, who will be responsible for mess and damage etc, any suggestions??

Thanks

Written agreement. £100/week for scaffolding to be in place. 50% extra between May and September?

That way he can choose whether to do it from the Autumn and he is incentivised to minimise the intervention.

You do need to think about whether the decking is strong enough to support the scaffolding and the risk of damage. I would be thinking about having some of it taken up and put back down again.

DannyboyMidlands

If you don't want the scaffolding then tell him to bog off. Or charge him £500 per week, paid up front with a proper agreement regarding mess, damage etc.

Timay

summersmum25 wrote: »

Any advice would be gratefully received, my neighbour has won planning permission to build a 2nd storey extension, we opposed the extension so are feeling a little bruised, he came round last night to say he will be starting in a couple of weeks and wants to put scaffolding on our decking for 5-6 weeks!!! This would mean that we can't use the patio doors in the lounge or the decking and I'm concerned about damage too as it is a raised deck. I don't want to be awkward but really feel like telling him to bog off!

i was considering drawing up an agreement (as I dont trust him) to set out how long it will be in place, who will be responsible for mess and damage etc, any suggestions??

Thanks

Yep as above just say no!

Now that planning permission has be granted I wouldn't go out of your way to be awkward to the build though, but there should be no reason for them to have to enter or be on your property at all.


Or charge them a rent for using your garden ( ) with a condition tha everything has to be returned to the same condition as before they put the scaffold up.

Grimbal

can you explain a little more about the extension ? Are you attached to his property or "next door" as it were ?

a couple of posters gave me great options when we were in a similar position to your neighbour & wanted to avoid placing a pole on their property

googler

Just say no, or as stated above, charge him for it with all suitable conditions in a written agreement.

Your neighbour should have considered what would be required before applying for the permission. Grant of planning permission doesn't bestow the right to use your garden/decking etc.

paddy's_mum

One point to bear in mind before you refuse to negotiate or allow access is that most bricklayers agree that you will get a better finish if they can access the outside of their work, as it were. True, brickwork can be laid 'overhand' but it is not quite so tidy. Since you are likely to be the one looking at any resulting pig's ear of a wall, you might want to think about it before deciding.

To my mind, your greatest concern if you do go down the 'shall I consider it' route is - have the scaffold firm got proper insurances in place and what it to happen if they drop a pole through your patio doors, fill your garden with great blobs of cement etc?

Given that your neighbours appear to be wanting to construct quite a large project, I wouldn't find it unreasonable for you to ask them to pay the fees for your solicitor to draw up an agreement about who does what, and who pays if there is real damage or disaster. In terms of percentage costs of a large extension, a couple of hundred quid in legal fees is peanuts if it restores harmony and takes out some of the sting of them gaining planning permission against your wishes.

Above all, I would advise you to do everything in your power to avoid any escalation of bad feeling between neighbours as, from a tiny seed of annoyance and irritation, can spring the most poisonous and distressing situation that you BOTH have to live with. Good luck and I hope that helps.

budgetdiyer

I personally wouldn't allow a neighbour to put scaffolding blocking my patio / rear doors for that length of time, particularly with the better weather coming. Particularly given its for an extension and not routine / urgent maintenance.

Although i guess if i was suitably compensated i'd consider allowing it, although i'd be concerned about putting much weight on decking.

poppysarah

Your decking isn't going to stand having scaffolding on it.

DannyboyMidlands

Assuming that the decking is a suffient height off the ground you would just prop through it with support directly below each scaffold pole. The decking sandwiched between the props doesn't really take any load.