Neighbours scaffolding – Am I being unreasonable?

TonyMMM

He has no RIGHT to have access to your land to build his extension, but it is a reasonable request as long as everything is agreed in advance, any damage put right etc.

If you do refuse, his builders could build the wall from his side only, which is possible, but will probably result in an awful looking finish on "your" side ...

For the sake of a decent/quick build and avoidance of any dispute , the sensible thing to do is to discuss and come to an agreement with the neighbour.

jaylee3

I would, and always have been as helpful as possible. Why would you not want to be as nice and decent and helpful and possible to your neighbours? As long as your property is not being damaged, and you have a full report of what's going to happen, I can't see why you'd be anything but helpful and courteous.

I wouldn't be making it as awkward as possible, as a few have suggested.

heartbreak_star

Hasn't the OP said the guy is doing this himself, no builders?

I think I'd be a bit peeved if someone splashed my car with cement too...

HBS x

picklekin

I think the OP's concern is the build work being ongoing, with no end date and no written agreement. Its hard in these word of mouth discussions to get this sort of thing. I had some work done on my roof recently, no need to go on someone else's property, but the scaffolding people took a week to bring it down and it really got on my nerves even in that space of time!

SailorSam

When my neighbours were wanting to build an extension they asked about putting the scaffold on my side. We get on well, they're good neighbours so it wasn't a problem. But it was there for probably a couple of years, more building work was done as finance would allow. I didn't expect it was going to be there that long.
The thing i think that most annoyed me was i had to struggle a bit getting my car in the garage, going back & forth to get straight, then one day i put a scratch along the side.
But the work is finished and we're still friends, they're still good neighbours. Before they started to build they said about if they could build onto the boundary it would mean that up at the roof the eaves are overhanging my side, but i said that was no problem and would be Ok.

lostinrates

I would allow access.

I would invite neighbours over for a drink to discuss it, and say you need dates, and that things like the cement on your car have made you uneasy but that you know they need to go ahead. Ask if they can get it wrapped up in time you deem reasonable ( say...four weeks?) and what insurance they are taking out should there be more damage to your property.

Keep it friendly.

Our neighbours have allowed us access for things we have done that we could have done without access, but they pointed out to us access made it easier. Likewise I have pointed out to them they need repairs only doable from our side.

Good neighbour relations are PRICELESS. Best friends, no, but able to feel unoppressed and not oppressive longterm, certainly valuable.

I know I can call on my neighbours in an emergency and am pleased when they call on us to help out.

itsanne

Is it not the case that without the extension there is no need for the neighbour to need scaffolding on the OP's property for any reason? (I'm assuming that the land taken up by the extension would be available if scaffolding were needed for any maintenance.)

That means that not only is the scaffolding needed now to build the extension, but there will then be an ongoing right to erect scaffolding on the OP's land once the extension is complete.



I fall into the camp that people should accommodate each other wherever possible, but given the neighbour's history the OP should make sure that everything is done correctly, including having his car's paintwork sorted.

*Robin*

chrisdisco wrote: »

I also need to know when it will be removed as I don't want he scaffolding there for 6 months!

Charge rent per week.
Insist on insurance and a written agreement.

Davesnave

SailorSam wrote: »

When my neighbours were wanting to build an extension they asked about putting the scaffold on my side. We get on well, they're good neighbours so it wasn't a problem. But it was there for probably a couple of years, more building work was done as finance would allow. I didn't expect it was going to be there that long.

This is why there needs to be a written agreement, with dates.

Looking at it from the other perspective, those dates must be reasonable and take account of things like adverse weather conditions, which may delay building work.

A couple of years is totally unacceptable, which is why the law allows you, the neighbour, to have a measure of control. You chose not to use it, but the OP still has that choice.

SailorSam

*Robin* wrote: »

Charge rent per week.

I wouldn't even dream of that. If ever there's a way to fall out with a neighbour.