Help! My painters have painted part of my neighbour's property

huskie69

I have employed some painters to paint the front of my house. 

I've come home today to discover they've also painted part of a "boundary" wall that faces my property (see image)

I'm unsure as whether this wall could be classed as a boundary / party wall and what rights I would have in its upkeep. 

We did notify our neighbour that we would be painting the property but certainly had no intention of painting part of theirs too.  

I suspect it will be a big job to remove the paint and the scaffolding has already been cleared away.

Any ideas what I should do?

TELLIT01

I would be surprised if the neighbour is bothered.  They won't be able to see the wall unless they lean over the fence, and the paint does provide some protection to the wall.  If you get on well with the neighbours you may wish to let them know what has happened, but not if you have problem neighbours.  Depending on the surface and the type of paint it could be a major job to remove.

huskie69

TELLIT01 said:

Depending on the surface and the type of paint it could be a major job to remove.

Pebbledash & masonry paint.   We get on "well enough" but worried she'll object.

EssexExile

You're worrying about nothing, either tell your neighbours and apologise or don't tell them, unless you invite them around they'll never know.

huskie69

EssexExile said:

You're worrying about nothing, either tell your neighbours and apologise or don't tell them, unless you invite them around they'll never know.

It's at the front of the property

Thrugelmir

Don't tell the neighbours.  Saved them some maintenance work. Overall a better asthetic appearance? 

J_B

huskie69 said:

Any ideas what I should do?

Nothing?

Loza2016

At our previous property part of ours neighbours rear 2 storey extension faced over our back garden they couldn’t see it. 

When they painted their house cream I asked them if they would mind not painting the side that faced us and let me paint it white to match our property. 

They were happy to do this so maybe your neighbours will be happy if you talk to them. 

MalMonroe

Hi, can your neighbour actually see that part of her property? And if so, is it a complete eyesore now it's been painted? 

If not I really wouldn't worry. 

It might be better to have a word with her just in case but if there is a problem, surely it's the painters who should put it right? Can't they follow simple instructions? Or maybe they felt they were doing a good thing? 

In my experience of being a neighbour, it's always best to confess if/when things go wrong. Whether you get on well with neighbours or not. I have found that most people are very reasonable and as long as it doesn't look particularly awful, I don't see a problem. She's had part of her outside wall painted and it hasn't cost her a penny. Who would offended? Unless it's bright purple or similar of course . .  .   

greenface2

My house has always been painted this way in buttermilk sort of colour  and so is my neighbours in grey