Neighbours scaffolding – Am I being unreasonable?

chrisdisco

My neighbour has mentioned in passing a few times that he needs to put scaffolding on my property. I’m not overly happy with this as it was not mentioned when he first decided to do his extension. When he first asked, he said it would be 3 weeks then he would need it back to have the wall rendered. The second time it had increased to 6 weeks and the last time (yesterday) it has gone to 8 weeks. I have asked him for the following information:

• Insurances from the scaffolding company
• Drawings of where the scaffolding will be
• Insurances from any persons doing the work
• A letter with the erection and removal dates

To make things worse, I’m currently in the middle of digging up my drive to put gravel down. I am tempted to say that he cannot put anything up until the work is complete in a few weeks, but this might be a bit unfair.
The work so far hasn’t exactly been pleased us with cement being splashed on my car and starting work at 7am on a Saturday. When I confronted him about the cement, he just said “I apologise” and walked away from me and back in the house. After speaking to him, I ended up scratching my car removing the cement which I was not pleased about.
I know it’s a difficult balance between keeping everyone happy, but I have a feeling I will come home one day with the scaffolding on my property without my permission. Any advice would be gratefully received.

meritaten

um, its just a thought, but, if the scaffolding is going up on your property - what would be the insurance implications if anything 'happened'? I would contact your buildings insurance provider and explain the circumstances and ask their advice.
only, I am thinking if the scaffolding damages your property, or if someone has an accident on it - what would be YOUR position?

oh, and if anyone did enter your property to erect scaffolding without your permission - they would be trespassing.

Tiddlywinks

What exactly are your objections!

I allowed scaffolding last year so that my neighbour could have guttering replaced. It never occurred to me to refuse... I just negotiated a convenient time and ground rules about times of access, keeping gates closed etc.

I believe it would be unreasonable of you to withhold permission... and pretty petty.

Do you want to completely sour relations?

chrisdisco

I will need to check the house insurances as I hadn't thought of that. Also the fact of people being hurt whilst on property.

I don't have any objections if things are done correctly. I still need to have full access to the back garden and be able to park on my drive. All these points I would like clarified before anything is erected. I also need to know when it will be removed as I don't want he scaffolding there for 6 months!

The problem is getting things in writing. He wants to do most of the work himself, which might be a problem as he's not a builder and not insured. He is one of these people that will cut ever corner possible to save money. Problems we have had previously with other issues he just ignores and walks away.

meritaten

jeez - everything you say fills me with dread!
and quite honestly - WHY would your neighbour need to erect scaffolding on YOUR property to work on HIS property?

Tiddlywinks

meritaten wrote: »

WHY would your neighbour need to erect scaffolding on YOUR property to work on HIS property?

It's very common where buildings are close or on the edge of their boundaries.

The neighbour could go to court to gain access:

http://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/rights-under-access-to-neighbouring-land-act.html

It would then be a matter of interpreting definitions.

In turn, this will become a neighbour dispute which will need to be declared if the OP wishes to sell in the future.

Far better to try to be reasonable.

Davesnave

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

The neighbour could go to court to gain access:

http://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/rights-under-access-to-neighbouring-land-act.html

It would then be a matter of interpreting definitions.
.

Sorry, if it's a new build, the Access to Neighbouring Land Act does not apply.

OP said this was for an extension.

piglet25

Me being me and him having that attitude it would be a flat no. Why put yourself at risk of possible legal action if there was an injury and why inconvenience yourself to do him a favour when he wasn't bothered about your car getting cement on and is arrogant enough to start work at that time of day? I would tell him to go tango.

Davesnave

piglet25 wrote: »

Me being me and him having that attitude it would be a flat no. Why put yourself at risk of possible legal action if there was an injury and why inconvenience yourself to do him a favour when he wasn't bothered about your car getting cement on and is arrogant enough to start work at that time of day? I would tell him to go tango.

And how would you feel about looking at an unrendered wall, perhaps for a very long time?

What if you decided to sell your house?

I know someone with a similar attitude to yours, and these are real issues he's confronting right now. My bet that he will ask for the builders to come back!

In situations like this, a bit of proper communication and an agreement, on paper, can work wonders.

Georgiegirl256

meritaten wrote: »

jeez - everything you say fills me with dread!
and quite honestly - WHY would your neighbour need to erect scaffolding on YOUR property to work on HIS property?

I was wondering that too? Also, ditto to your first sentence!

We are having our roof done soon. I hope the scaffolding doesn't go on to our neighbours property.

Grumpypoo

If proper builders did the job where the cement splashed you can submit a claim to their insurers. I have worked in insurance and saw dozens of cement splash claims paid out daily.