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Scaffolding on my property from neighbour stopping sale

Jennaedmonds2002
Jennaedmonds2002 Posts: 2 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
Hello, I am selling my rental property but our neighbours have scaffolding up and it is on our property. We where supposed to exchange 3 weeks ago but the buyers won’t do this until the scaffolding is removed. The neighbor is a local authority tenant so this is being done by the council so it’s not our neighbours fault. I have spoken to them and the job keeps getting put back so it won’t be taken down until complete. This has now cost me an extra months rent and council tax and I was never asked permission for it to be put up in the first place. Where do I stand? Can I claim that money back? Can I get the scaffolding taken down myself? I don’t know what to do as this is going to cost me another months outgoings soon.
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Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    When you say it's "on" your property, what exactly do you mean? What sort of properties are we talking about? And why is your buyer concerned about it anyway - surely they know it'll be gone soon enough?
  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Does it matter why OPs buyer is concerned? Maybe they figure as its council it will be there for 5 years and they dont want it on their property but again, it doesn't matter.
    OP, be a squeaky wheel and start harassing the council. A "letter before action" giving them 14 days to remove or court action will follow.
  • Sibz
    Sibz Posts: 389 Forumite
    100 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper First Anniversary
    That's one for your solicitor I'd imagine. Surely the council would have to at least notify you of anything (especially something that involves using your land) - I'd at least expect to be able to get the CT refunded for the period where work is not being carried out.

    If your house has been on the market then you can prove the effect this is having. But, solicitor I'm sure can let you know exactly where you stand on this. Do you have anything in writing from the council regarding this work that you could provide to the buyer to at least reassure them that it is nothing major that would affect your property negatively?
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    AnotherJoe wrote: »
    Does it matter why OPs buyer is concerned?
    Well, yes, I think it's relevant. Maybe it's blocking access? Maybe they are concerned they'll need to contribute to the cost if works are ongoing? Maybe they are worried about security? Get it moved prematurely and maybe all that will happen is it will reappear shortly after the buyer moves in...
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sibz wrote: »
    I'd at least expect to be able to get the CT refunded for the period where work is not being carried out.
    This has nothing to do with council tax. It's the neighbour carrying out some work. The fact the neighbour happens to be the council isn't relevant.
  • Grumpelstiltskin
    Grumpelstiltskin Posts: 5,360 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You need to get back to the council and ask them who gave them permission to put the scaffolding on your property in the first place.

    They could come up with 'the repairs were an emergency ' but then they should have done the work straight away. Otherwise tell them in writing they must remove it ASAP.
    If you go down to the woods today you better not go alone.
  • Sibz
    Sibz Posts: 389 Forumite
    100 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper First Anniversary
    davidmcn wrote: »
    This has nothing to do with council tax. It's the neighbour carrying out some work. The fact the neighbour happens to be the council isn't relevant.

    No - it's the council - the OP literally stated this already.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sibz wrote: »
    No - it's the council - the OP literally stated this already.
    Yes, the neighbour is the council, like I said, but it's got nothing to do with the OP's council tax liability.
  • Sibz
    Sibz Posts: 389 Forumite
    100 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper First Anniversary
    davidmcn wrote: »
    Yes, the neighbour is the council, like I said, but it's got nothing to do with the OP's council tax liability.

    If the council haven't sought permission/given notice for required access and left unused scaffolding erected for a continuing period of time there's very much a question of liability... Hence why I suggested contacting a solicitor...
  • AnotherJoe
    AnotherJoe Posts: 19,622 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    davidmcn wrote: »
    Well, yes, I think it's relevant. Maybe it's blocking access? Maybe they are concerned they'll need to contribute to the cost if works are ongoing? Maybe they are worried about security? Get it moved prematurely and maybe all that will happen is it will reappear shortly after the buyer moves in...


    And the OP would care about that because ? :D
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