boundary advice

Frith

We have a tiny garden with just 125cm between our brick shed and the fence to next doors garden.

Just got home and the neighbours have put a new fence 85cm from the shed. We can now barely open the doors!

What should we do? Their house is for sale hence suddenly patching and replacing things.

Doozergirl

You're going to have to speak to them. Ask them why. If they're moving, then they shouldn't be all that bothered about the boundary line. Did someone do it for them?

Just be nice, maybe ask them to come round and have a look from your side, so they can see what you're talking about?

Frith

To complicate matters, neighbour is an ex boyfriend. He's been fine for 10 years but his new girlfriend of 6 months isn't quite so nice.

I sent him a cheery text saying the width between shed and fence is 125 and could he check before the fence people leave? He hasn't replied - the first time EVER. I suppose I'd go to the district council next?

cyclonebri1

OK, so the boundary on that side is the neighbours?

If that is established they cannot expand it without trespass.

I know we are talking mm's and we all know size matters, but they cannot do that, unless they can prove the actual boundary was beyond there fence I'd actually tear it down.;)

Frith

I don't know whose boundary it is - not stated on map or deeds. I opened curtains this a.m to see 2 people I didn't know putting up new fence! Ignored them, came back to see new fence actually sticking out in a step in "front" of remaining old panels.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally, I'd ring on the doorbell (at a time he couldn't pretend to be out) and tell him/ask him to come and have a look. Get a promise out of him as to when he will have put matters right by.

If he reaches that deadline (say a weeks time) and hasn't put it right, then a letter through his door (copy kept) more formally requesting he put things right and giving a date for the deadline by which it must be done (say another week).

If that doesn't work, then an even more formal letter (this time sent Recorded Delivery).

He is the one with most to lose by setting up "a dispute" with the neighbour (ie yourself), as his house is for sale.

Its probably poor-quality workmen that have put the fence in the wrong place, and not a deliberate attempt to steal 1' or so of your garden (after all..what would be the point of that, as he is selling anyway?).

I think that is the starter stance anyway, ie "Oh dear...those workmen you had in weren't very bright were they?:rotfl:;):rotfl:. Fancy putting the fence in the wrong place like that:rotfl:" attitude to start with and see how that goes..

It is most probably a workmans fault and not his.

Frith

We've had a little chat and a walk down my garden. My "bottom" gate to the septic tank can't close now as there's not room!! Think he was quite shocked by that. I showed where the slabs used to have about 30 of soil beyond them. Fence now ON centre of slabs!! And it's so tatty. It was reedy looking stuff. In next doors garden theyve put up 5ft planks in front of 6 foot reeds. All higgledy piggledy.

moneyistooshorttomention

That does sound even more like its daft workmen who cant be bothered to do their job properly that have caused this.

Hope he hasn't paid them yet.

Frith

I went (hid) inside while he showed workmen the problem. They told him they thought the slabs were the boundary....

They'll be back in a week or 2. Neighbour mentioned having a "chat" about where boundary is so I'll print off land registry map.

moneyistooshorttomention

They "thought" and your neighbour wasn't around to ask duh! Another instance of workmen have tongues in their head, so why don't some of them use them once in a while! Wouldn't have harmed them to clarify first with your neighbour would it?:cool:

cyclonebri1

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

They "thought" and your neighbour wasn't around to ask duh! Another instance of workmen have tongues in their head, so why don't some of them use them once in a while! Wouldn't have harmed them to clarify first with your neighbour would it?:cool:

Calm down dear, Calm down.

It's not clear who is to blame here.

Without offence Op if you don't even know who's boundary it is you have even bigger question to ask. The deeds will show, (little tack head arrows), who owns the boundary.

If they claim it and you accept it, then eventually it becomes their's