When I try to be helpful, why is it never enough

Mojisola

Auntie-Dolly wrote: »

Don't make up stories - just tell them you don't mind the wheelie bins, but can they move the rest of the rubbish.

It can seem a bit over the top but, to prevent problems in the future when they try to claim rights over that bit of your ground, give the permission in writing.

Write a letter, your address, their address, a small diagram, say you're giving permission for the bins to stand there, sign and date it and get them to do the same. Keep it safe.

Don't just send them a letter because they can claim they didn't receive it.

sassyblue

FatVonD wrote: »

Lol! But they agreed they would screen it. Am I being a pushover?

Yes! And l thought you'd be tougher than that

lostinrates

Mojisola wrote: »

It can seem a bit over the top but, to prevent problems in the future when they try to claim rights over that bit of your ground, give the permission in writing.

Write a letter, your address, their address, a small diagram, say you're giving permission for the bins to stand there, sign and date it and get them to do the same. Keep it safe.

Don't just send them a letter because they can claim they didn't receive it.

Its right of access or permission to use that would have made me say no from the beginning. And what i would say to explain why you need them to remove it. It could impact negatively on your housevalue and right to exclusive use.

Mojisola

lostinrates wrote: »

Its right of access or permission to use that would have made me say no from the beginning. And what i would say to explain why you need them to remove it. It could impact negatively on your housevalue and right to exclusive use.

If you give a neighbour permission to do something, that permission can be withdrawn at any time - such as if the house goes up for sale or you just change your mind.

If a neighbour starts using your land without your permission - or you can't prove that you gave them permission - they may be able to claim rights to the land.

Tina20

You don't need to apologise, you don't need to reimburse, you don't need to say 'sorry for being a pain'.

YOU have done THEM a favour and now you are withdrawing it because they overstepped the mark. End of

DevilsAdvocate1

Thanks to everyone who replied. We went and had a chat with them and they told us it would be removed by the beginning of June. It has now been removed BUT last night we noticed that they have planted 2 small conifer trees in its place. These are literally 2 inches from the side of our house, so I'm worried about he effect on our foundations.

Obviously, the trees look small now, but I'm aware they are fast growing. We have decided to catch them and tell them that the trees need to be removed as well as the bins. I'm going to get someone to extend the fence at the side of the house so this area is no longer accessible to them. They also seem to be using a larger area than they first suggested and seem to have made it theirs.

I think we will have problems with the neighbours. They reported us to planning after our extension was built. It wasn't a problem as the extension was built exactly as per the plans which we had permission for, but it was a pain having to wait in for the planning inspector to come.

I wish my last neighbour still lived there.

Wirenth

Mojisola wrote: »

Don't make up stories, don't lie, just do as pimento says.

It's your property, not theirs.

This is very good advice. Don't tell porkies, remain friendly, but firm. Be direct about your concern and what outcome you would like.

I'd politely point out that this is a fire hazard, as well as providing a home for vermin such as rats. Then sweetly smile and say that you would like them to recycle it.

Then, in a week or so, move onto the conifer issue.

jackieb

Why didn't they just put the conifers in plant pots if they wanted conifers? I wouldn't be happy either. I'd want them removed if they are that close to the house.

jackieb

I'd be tempted to tell them to put the bins back in their own garden as it's obviously causing friction (and not of your doing either!)

Filey

I may have missed it but who actually owns the piece of land?

If it is marked on the deeds as being yours then they have no right to do anything on it. If they have right of way/access then they can walk over/through it but nothing else.

So far you have been very fair and neighbourly, but sometimes you have to protect yourself. As several other posters have said, if you want to let them keep putting their bins there it would be as well to write them a letter saying something like you and partner give them temporary permission to keep only their bins there but in the event of a change of circumstances it would be withdrawn.

I'm all in favour of little white lies if it eases the situation so you could say friends/relatives of yours are selling their house and have had problems with neighbours claiming xyzwhatever, and you know they are not like that, but want to make certain no misunderstandings arise. Or invent a cousin who has a friend who is a legal executive who advises it. Make three copies and give them one, keep one yourselves, and ideally ask the solicitors who hold your deeds to put the other in with the deeds. And even more ideally, ask them to sign the ones you are keeping.

It's sad when neighbours take advantage like yours seem to be. But you will know the saying 'give them an inch and they will take a mile'.