Neighbour's scaffolding

geri1965_2

About a month ago, my neighbours had some scaffolding put up. The scaffolders did come and ask if it was OK for some of it to be in our garden, and we said yes (I saw we - they asked my OH when I was at work and he said yes, although I would have agreed if I was here).

No work has been carried out to their property and the scaffolding is still there. I didn't give it a moment's thought until last week, when a BT engineer came to install my new broadband, and he said he couldn't do it as the scaffolding was impending his access. He said he would contact the Openreach Scaffolding Team and get back to us.

No contact as yet, so I just phoned them and they said they could not do anything until the scaffolding is removed. Trouble is, our existing phone and broadband is being disconnected in two days!

I did ring up the owners of next door's property (housing association) and they said it was likely to be a few more weeks before the scaffolding would be taken down. At this point I was waiting to hear back from BT so I didn't press the issue, I said I would get back to them if it was a problem.

I'm going to ring them first thing in the morning, however, I assume that if I withdraw my permission to have it on my property, they have to get it taken down ASAP? Does anybody know?

I_have_spoken

As OH (verbally?) agreed and didn't stipulate for how long your position isn't that strong.

Best best is to write (registered) saying you a withdrawing consent and after giving a reasonable notice (5 business days) for removal you will be charging £200/day facility fee.

geri1965_2

Well, I'll see what they say when I phone them first. That might not be necessary.

Are you talking from a position of knowledge of the law?

uk_messer

While you gave your consent that doesn't mean works should not have been completed in good time.

BlueC

Is the scaffolding REALLY impeding BT's access? It's not unknown for Openreach engineers to do anything/spout any old rubbish to get out of doing a job.

Doozergirl

BlueC wrote: »

Is the scaffolding REALLY impeding BT's access? It's not unknown for Openreach engineers to do anything/spout any old rubbish to get out of doing a job.

It's normal now for utilities to refuse to work where scaffolding is present. Gas and electric conpanies have it in their ts & cs.

OP there will be sonething in your deeds that will allow your neighbours access via scaffolding to maintain their property.

It sounds like really bad timing and I can see exactly how you're inconvenienced, but don't know how to resolve it. You can't reasonably bill them for access. Is there any way that the wiring for BT could go somewhere not affected by scaffolding?

BlueC

Doozergirl wrote: »

It's normal now for utilities to refuse to work where scaffolding is present. Gas and electric conpanies have it in their ts & cs.

Good point. Still it's also quite normal for openreach to dream up any reason they can not to do a job

geri1965_2

I must admit I was sceptical about it as I don't think the scaffolding is in the way, but they assure me they won't do the work until it has been removed. It can't really go anywhere else.

I don't want to be unhelpful and would have no issues with it normally, but I can't really wait until they have finished as a) I have no idea when that will be (apparently there is some issue with the quote which is why the work hasn't started yet and b) I am without phone or broadband from about two days time as I already cancelled my Virgin media account.

I guess I will see what the housing association say in the morning.

warmhands.coldheart

One month later and no work done is taking the proverbial a bit!!..

itsakidsworld

Maybe contact BT and explain again the situation and ask them for a temporary password to allow you access to BT Openzone until the scaffolding comes down? This should (if it is possible) give you at least internet access until the scaffold is down. We did this (although it was a business hence my comment "if it is possible") when we move premises and it did the job until the new installation was complete.

cyclonebri1

Doozergirl wrote: »

OP there will be sonething in your deeds that will allow your neighbours access via scaffolding to maintain their property.

Totally, and as the OP has done it is in neighbourly interests to agree informally to the request, most reasonably minded folks would do the same.

But as said, the mickey is being somewhat taken, so I would request the HA get the scaffolders back immediately and remove the part of the scaffold that is on your property. They will of course have to make good and certify what remains. Seems harsh but any builder would have had that installed the day before starting work, not over a month early so they are at fault.