Exchanging soon, next door neighbour's erected scaffolding covering part of house

TDPIX

Hi all,

We're due to exchange contracts on the house we're buying fairly soon.

Yesterday we driven past the house and seen that the next door neighbour has erected scaffolding, and a fair bit is in 'our' house's boundaries. This is to the point where it covers most of the living room window and most of the upstairs master bedroom's window.

I know we haven't exchanged yet so it's not our problem at the moment, but what (if anything) do you think we should do in this case?

Thanks!
TDPIX

mrsmchapman

Having worked in scaffolding, for the scaffold to go over a neighbouring property they would have had to ask permission from the current owner. I would mention this to the solicitor, also most scaffold companies have signs attached and maybe you could give them a call just asking how long the scaffold will be erected for. Bear in mind tho the house your buying from may not have mentioned they have sold there house so you may also want to respect their privacy (unless it had a sale board of course) and go direct to the solictor to ask them.

DaftyDuck

At least it (probably) indicates the huse next door is being maintained well.

They will be your new neighbours, so tread lightly. It's the kind of question you may find the estate agent can answer more informally - although the agent may not be as relied on for a clear answer.

TDPIX

Thanks both Yes we do want to tread lightly really. Hopefully it won't be up for months etc; we may try asking the EA or scaffolding company and see how long it should be up for.

moneyistooshorttomention

Don't suppose the neighbours will want the scaffolding up for long either - as I think that scaffolding is hired by the week and is far from cheap to hire.

I wouldn't be concerned about the scaffolding itself - provided you have a standard length of time between exchange and completion, then that scaffolding should be gone by the time you move in anyway.

I would be more concerned with what the neighbours house will be like once the scaffolding is down (eg a window where there isn't one currently and it looks down into your back garden for instance).

DaftyDuck

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

.... provided you have a standard length of time between exchange and completion...

Money, You really are fixated with the idea there's a standard time - I promise you, there isn't However much you might want four weeks, your buyer might want something different. Both of you... BOTH ... have to be flexible...

poppysarah

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Don't suppose the neighbours will want the scaffolding up for long either

Depends what is being done. If it's put up for long term work I'd want to know.

mrsmchapman

Also just so you know, Incase you transfer existing services, you have a chance of receiving little reception for sky, depending on where the dish is located. If the scaffold just to the front I wonder or the rear to and they are having roof or chimney works done.