Neighbour threats to block access

bm1296

Hi, 

Looking for some advice as I have recently moved into my first property.

My property is a mid terrace with a passageway running between mine and my neighbours house to our gardens. Also in this passageway is access to some under stairs storage on my property and hers. My neighbour owns the passageway and her property is connected to mine above it however I have a right of way to use it to access my garden as specified in my deeds. 

On day 2 of moving in and in our very first conversation, my neighbour became very passive aggressive and tried to tell me her deeds state after 3 lifetimes (which she thinks is 21 years...) she can put a gate on this passageway and I won't be able to access my garden through it. Her deeds are apparently with her solicitor and are about an inch thick. So far, I have taken everything she has said with a pinch of salt. 

However, she likes to keep reminding me that she can block the passage whenever she wants with a gate and I won't be able to use it.
Unfortunately she is not easy to speak to as she suddenly decides that she's deaf when I try talk to her about anything to do with what my deeds say. 
I also can't access her deeds on the Land Registry as they're so old. 

I don't want a dispute with her but in the little time she has left living there as she is old I don't want her to turn nasty. She already acts like the street police commenting on people's parking including my own on my own drive and other neighbours have warned me about her.

Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Is there anything I could be doing to help prevent this (other than pretend to be nice to her)? 
Surely however something is worded in her deeds would be reciprocated in mine. 

Thank you

moneysavinghero

Just ignore her. Until she actually puts a gate up and blocks your access you are not really being hindered so just carry on with your life as normal. If she does eventually put up a locked gate then you can worry about what to do about it.

She is just spraying her territory and letting you know she was there long before you. 

Stratus

Show her the relevant part of your deeds.

theartfullodger

Here...
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/

Do you own or rent the place, please?

Leasehold or freehold?

princeofpounds

Agree - ignore her unless she does something. Also, if she brings up the subject, tell her to produce her evidence or go away, then go about your business. Show her your deeds if you like, but we all know this isn't likely to be about logical thought.

Unless she physically acts or it escalates into harassment, it's probably not worth a dispute.

Make sure you have legal protection on your house insurance. If she tries something, and you haven't disqualified yourself from cover by raising the dispute too soon after buying it or starting a problem now, then they will come down on her like a ton of bricks. That will include taking her to court for an injunction to remove the obstacle if necessary. And they they will chase her for costs.

It is not the case that deeds are necessarily 'reciprocal'. If there is a right of way, it might be mentioned on one deed, the other, or both. However, if you have a right granted on your deed, you can rely on it.

deannagone

Don't talk about it with her anymore.  Go deaf as she is.  But make sure of the insurance having legal cover.

yksi

I'd smile and agree. If she moans about your parking, roll your eyes and say you sure did park crooked there! Then talk about the weather. Compliment her garden. Say it's nice to see her. Kill her with kindness and don't even get into any access discussions, if she starts on that you just smile and comment that she must know everyone around here and have really great knowledge of the street and how wonderful it is to have a neighbour who knows the place so well and keeps everyone so safe. If she starts about her deeds say it's so great that all the paperwork is being so well looked after, and oh well must run now, have a lovely day!

Few people can resist flattery especially if you act like a halfwit when you say it and do nothing but look cheerful. It's really hard to argue with someone who seems to be a smiling idiot. If you never get into a dispute you'll never have to disclose one legally.

If she ever did put up a gate you can just remove it

staffie1

If she carries out her threat, just sue her.

bm1296

yksi said:

I'd smile and agree. If she moans about your parking, roll your eyes and say you sure did park crooked there! Then talk about the weather. Compliment her garden. Say it's nice to see her. Kill her with kindness and don't even get into any access discussions, if she starts on that you just smile and comment that she must know everyone around here and have really great knowledge of the street and how wonderful it is to have a neighbour who knows the place so well and keeps everyone so safe. If she starts about her deeds say it's so great that all the paperwork is being so well looked after, and oh well must run now, have a lovely day!

Few people can resist flattery especially if you act like a halfwit when you say it and do nothing but look cheerful. It's really hard to argue with someone who seems to be a smiling idiot. If you never get into a dispute you'll never have to disclose one legally.

If she ever did put up a gate you can just remove it

Haha yes that is what I’ve been trying to do! 

Other neighbours are lovely and have really been looking out for me so sounds like it’s her that’s got the problem 😂

Thank you 

bm1296

deannagone said:

Don't talk about it with her anymore.  Go deaf as she is.  But make sure of the insurance having legal cover.

Thank you! Yes I’ve got legal cover thankfully

bm1296

theartfullodger said:

Here...
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/problems-where-you-live/

Do you own or rent the place, please?

Leasehold or freehold?

Thank you.

own and freehold