Moral dilema: neighbour wants pvc windows...I want to object

BobProperty

clutton wrote: »

new windows need to comply with FENSA regs and i am fairly sure that FENSA registered companies normally apply for PP on your behalf when doing the paperwork for the job.

Strictly, new windows have to comply with Building Regulations which membership of FENSA allows you to self-certify. DG companies may help you with PP, at a price, but as PP isn't automatic I'd think very few would get involved except maybe to file an application.
Everest famously fitted DG to "the highest restaurant in England" (or something like that) only to find out later it was listed and they got into a lot of trouble for it.

Nenen

I do hope you can sort out your problem MushyPeas. I'd be just like you re confrontation! Have you met with your neighbour yet? I suppose one way round it would be to go and have a chat with her on the pretext that you were thinking of getting yours done and wanted to ask about prices/ firm she is using etc. You could then say *casually* that you were thinking of getting brown ones so they didn't look too different to the others as you didn't want to devalue any of the properties... what did she think?;)

Your thread just reminded me of a bitter battle that took place in the village where I used to live:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/archive/features/lilachouse.shtml

This shows just how heated these things can become and how long it drags on for... in this case more than three years and constant threat of prison for the 'offender' (a very nice woman) who painted her house mauve!

macaque_2

MushyPeas wrote: »

I have a bit of a moral dilema and I'd be interested to see what other people thought. I live in a block of flats where all the window frames are wooden, so they are brown. A planning letter was sent to me this week saying my neighbour downstairs has requested to have white pvc windows installed.

I really don't want this to happen as it will spoil the look for the whole block, but I understand that if I object it will a) cause bad feeling, b) cost my neighbour more money for wooden or brown pvc frames and c) she's been helpful letting me use her bins for rubbish.

I'm not sure how to respond, what would you do?

Cheers for your input!

You have a legitimate concern. Aren't the flats lease hold and don't you have a management committee which controls issues like this?

andyrules

Hi MP,
I, too, am surprised at some of your responses.

I would care about a potential mishmash of styles, and I also think those who said it would eventually affect value are correct.

I lived in a converted block some years ago, and the management rules were so strict you couldn't even put up a temporary sale board/poster. You haven't mentioned a committee, I'd be surprised if there isn't one, and that is the best way. They may already be on to it. (hopefully)

Hope you get it sorted.

MushyPeas

Hiya

Thanks for more posts people. I just popped downstairs and she isn't in.

We do have a leasehold committee, so I can find out what they think. It would be interested to know if anyone else is planning to get their windows done? If a few of them want them white then I guess that may change things...it'll look a bit patchwork up here!!!

Will try to see if she's in later and ask her about the letter I received and just tell her my concerns. As an earlier poster said, much better to talk direct rather then her finding out I've complained. Especially since she's been nice to me since I moved in.

meeps

any chance you could tell her you are into doing market research and would she like you to do a quick poll of all the owners to get a consensus, as a neighbourly favour....?

MushyPeas

meeps wrote: »

any chance you could tell her you are into doing market research and would she like you to do a quick poll of all the owners to get a consensus, as a neighbourly favour....?

I'm liking your thinking :rotfl:

judderman62

any chance you could tell her you are into doing market research and would she like you to do a quick poll of all the owners to get a consensus, as a neighbourly favour....?

Classic , just classic.

That's not just saying I'm gonna stick my oar in but I'm also going to get all the neighbours to do so too. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Why not just declare all out war on her and try and get her evicted whilst you are at it

MushyPeas

judderman62 wrote: »

Classic , just classic.

That's not just saying I'm gonna stick my oar in but I'm also going to get all the neighbours to do so too. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Why not just declare all out war on her and try and get her evicted whilst you are at it

No, coz I'm not nasty like that

coal9011

I think that your neighbour has got the right idea. My god, it's ony a 1980's block of flats not Blenheim Palace. Your neighbour is probably thinking about reducing condensation and property maintenance. If you all had UPVC windows you may well reduce maintenance and with that your quarterly service charge bills.

In fact I think that the rest of he residents should be "made" to have UPVC replacement windows installed and those that refuse should be deported to Australia.

Your truely

Bob Everest (formally Robert Coldshield)