Fire escape into my garden (undisclosed when bought house)

fed_up_and_stressed

mrschaucer wrote: »

... in the heat of the moment ...

It could cause a blazing row ... :rotfl:

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

...and that's absolutely fair enough.

At some point - I think we all click that those "statutory bodies" (eg the Fire Brigade, Water Board, etc ) have the absolute legal right to "break things down" if it comes to it. That's absolutely fair and right.

What is NOT "fair and right" is any situation where one particular individual can vary things on a personal level - just because they fancy doing so.

Been there ...done that....and totally agree that the Authorities are entitled to do whatever-they-need-to if it serves the Greater Good. BUT individuals are entitled to be protected from other "individuals" and their own personal little fancies....

Seriously. What the hell do you think is going to happen? If you have closed gates at the front and back of your garden, do you think people assume they can wander in off the road?

kiffer8501

steeeb wrote: »

It seems like either:
- Said 'escape' is a load of xxx hence why your oddball vendor had a disputed about it.
- Your vendor kept quite about it intentionally and if said escape does legally exist should have mentioned it to you. Said disputed should have been mentioned also - I think it's a standard question on the questionnaire they have to fill in.

Thats exactly how I see it

kiffer8501

robotrobo wrote: »

I'm glad you live where you do.

how do you know i don't live near you?

I'm glad you're not a comedian! :rotfl:

kiffer8501

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Indeed:T

There is a question there on the legal questionnaire that gets filled-in these days when selling a property that runs along the lines of "Is there a dispute - OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE LIKELY TO CAUSE A DISPUTE?"

Well....that there entrance in your fence is quite definitely in the category of "likely to cause a dispute" and therefore OP's vendor was just a trifle mendacious shall we say? (ie didn't "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth")....:cool:

I agree. There is obviously potential for there to be a dispute between myself and the neighbour, and that's exactly the question that was on the form. The previous argument that's obviously been had over the fire escape I also consider to be a dispute, and therefore I've been misled!

Contrary to popular belief I am not foaming at the mouth with rage over this but I think its reasonable to want an answer as to why she felt no need to mention it. I think its also reasonable for me to seek some clarity over whether there is a legal basis for this fire escape. As I said before Building Control should be able to confirm this, if I ever manage to track them down!

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

kiffer8501 wrote: »

I agree. There is obviously potential for there to be a dispute between myself and the neighbour, and that's exactly the question that was on the form. The previous argument that's obviously been had over the fire escape I also consider to be a dispute, and therefore I've been misled!

Contrary to popular belief I am not foaming at the mouth with rage over this but I think its reasonable to want an answer as to why she felt no need to mention it. I think its also reasonable for me to seek some clarity over whether there is a legal basis for this fire escape. As I said before Building Control should be able to confirm this, if I ever manage to track them down!

Anyone has a right to come into your garden to escape from a fire. I have a right to come into your garden if I am being chased by a tiger. Anyone has a right to put a gate in any fence that they own. I'm not sure what you mean by "a legal basis for this fire escape".
If it's your fence I'm sure you can close it up, but again, they could break it down if they needed to get through. They'd probably have to pay for it if you sued them but if their house was burning down a fence panel that would be the least of anybody's worries.

If you want to build a shed obstructing it and it's their fence, they'd just have to move the gate if they wanted to keep it.

Please don't listen to anyone who seems to be of the opinion a closed gate in any way implies right of access. Almost all gardens have gates. many have several. It doesn't mean anyone can come through them and let their dog !!!! on your lawn.