Real-life MMD: Should I pay for my neighbour's plants?

Bod123_2

Fences in a lot of modern-ish houses (last 15+ years) are shared ownership. I think that building companies think this is simpler for them so apply this to the whole development.

joehoover

There is Money Saving, then there is miserly....

Legally speaking if they knew nothing of the work being done then they have a case for trespass on her property.

What is she so unreasonable asking for you to replace what was damaged through something you organised?

Pay up, then if you want to seek compensation with the company who did the work then go through that course, if they are a reputable company then they will help you, no business wants to alienate customers.

magentalady

I can't believe the people who are responding saying thing line 'present the miserable old bat with a bill for her half'. So I assume then that if I were your neighbour, it would be OK for me to decide to rip down the fence separating our properties (which we may or may not jointly own, and which you may or may not have even though needed replacing) and then you'd not only be fine with that, but you'd pay me half the cost? And if I damaged some of your property in the process, then tough cheese?

'The workmen say they didn't do it...' 'I didn't even ask her to contribute...' As is usually the case with these MMDs, this is all smoke and mirrors. This question boils down to 'I hired some workmen who damaged my neighbour's property, should I make it up to her?'

Of course you should.

dee01273

I am the original poster and several key points have been omitted from my post, That I am responsible for, and own the fences on three sides and 2 panels were blown down, falling into her garden.
I told the neighbour that the work was going to be done and the workmen would probably have to access from her side. She agreed and was pleased that the fence was being replaced at no cost to her.
She is a serial whiner and complained to the men about her plants and they insisted they had not pulled any plants up, and spoke to me about her complaints. I checked and saw no apparent damage. They, and I, think that she was trying it on. When she complained to me, she could not tell me the names of, or show me the "destroyed plants" but asked me to pay for them. I refused, as I feel that any flattened plants are still there as they are dormant at this time of the year and they will grow back later.

Mojisola

dee01273 wrote: »

I am the original poster and several key points have been omitted from my post, That I am responsible for, and own the fences on three sides and 2 panels were blown down, falling into her garden.
I told the neighbour that the work was going to be done and the workmen would probably have to access from her side. She agreed and was pleased that the fence was being replaced at no cost to her.
She is a serial whiner and complained to the men about her plants and they insisted they had not pulled any plants up, and spoke to me about her complaints. I checked and saw no apparent damage. They, and I, think that she was trying it on.
When she complained to me, she could not tell me the names of, or show me the "destroyed plants" but asked me to pay for them. I refused, as I feel that any flattened plants are still there as they are dormant at this time of the year and they will grow back later.

With all the facts of the story - particularly the bits in bold - no, you don't need to compensate her for plants that she can't even name, especially as you have looked and can't see any damage.

tallgirld

I would let them know that the company said they didn't cause any damage. Then it would depend on how much compensation they are asking for before I would decide whether to pay up or not.

Are you sure the fence is shared?

onesixfive

Buy a couple of trays of bedding plants for less than twenty quid, once the frost has finished - present them to her, even offer to plant them for her, but like it or lump it - but you've saved your side of the peace.

Paxo456

I thought that my other half had posted this at first. We have just replaced jointly owned fences around our garden. Yes, the fences are jointly owned as per the deeds of the house.

• None of the neighbours offered any money towards the cost of the fences.
• They were all asked before hand if it was OK to replace the fences.
• All agreed
• Allowed access to their properties for the workmen
• None offered any money
• We did not ask (for money) as we were going to replace the fences what ever otherwise we would have had tatty falling apart fence on one side and nice new and secure fence on the other 2 sides.

Once side is more than happy as he has got several thousands pounds worth of fence for nothing. The other side is not so happy now as the fence replaced a trellis which had bushes growing through from OUR side. He is now complaining that he looks out at wooden fence rather than the hedge. He had no plants growing on his side apart from 1 rose which is still there. We have been debating about offering him some shrubs to grow against the fence but as he has admitted he is no gardener and has made no effort on the rest of his garden, we have decided that we won't make the offer.

As to the OP - now the scenario is updated - no don't offer anything

snid

Is it true that if you have contractors doing work on your house and they damage a neighbour's property then YOU are responsible?

Mojisola

snid wrote: »

Is it true that if you have contractors doing work on your house and they damage a neighbour's property then YOU are responsible?

The company are responsible and should have insurance but the contract is between you and them so you should make them put things right.