Neighbour wants access for repairs after harassment

insomniac-uk

Hi everyone, I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post, I don't usually post on the forums so I'm sorry for any mistakes.

A bit of background on the harassment, last year my sister had been living at the house alone and was renovating our garden which the neighbours were not happy about. This started nearly a year of harassment, filming her every time she was in the garden threatening letters etc, it only stopped once the police were involved.

We haven't spoken to them since.

Due to the recent storm, their roof was damaged. The broken part is easier to access from our garden, I'm not 100% sure if its the only way for the roofer to fix the tiles.

What are my rights, do I have to grant them access for repairs? I do not want to interact with them in person and do not want them on my property. (They have been using notes to communicate). I don't mind the roofers being there but I don't think my neighbour will pay for any damage occurred during the work or that they will stay out of my garden.

Who do I contact to get more information, is a solicitor the only way?

Thank you in advance 

m0bov

You can deal with the roofer, it sounds a maybe at the moment. Wait and see what happens.

superstylin

I would ask to speak with the roofers and confirm what access they need, how long they would need, query how they will set up access (scaffold or ladder only?). If the set up has a potential to cause damage then ask how they'll mitigate that and if they have insurance. 

If you're happy with what they tell you then allow the access but stipulate that you do not want the neighbours on your property (I don't see why they would need to be there anyway). 

It would be tempting to just refuse access as a way to 'get back at' them but this won't help your neighbour situation and I'd prefer to choose the high ground than stoop to their level. 

Bendy_House

Speak to the roofer if you can, explain some of the issues you've had with the neighbour and that the police had to be involved (it's always good for folk to know what they are dealing with, and the neighb to know that other folk also know), explain your reluctance to now deal with the neighbour, and ask if access from your side is 'absolutely essential'. 

It'll hopefully be a case of "it's just easier from your side, but we can manage", or - better still - "we can manage from their side, but they'll have to pay for extra scaffolding...". 

If access from your side is genuinely the ONLY way, then you ultimately do need to allow them access. You would obviously want reassurance that no damage will be caused - or will be put right. AfaIk, you don't need to permit access to your actual neighbour, so I'd make that clear too - they are persona non grata.

Time this 'ole realised the consequences of their actions.

Bendy_House

You could also, I understand, make the neighbour HAVE to go to their solicitor, to 'oblige' you to provide access. This will give you the opportunity to clarify your concerns, and require an assurance that any damage will be put right. 

Don't come across as 'churlish' when sorting this, just matter-of-fact; 'they have shown themselves to be dishonest, devious, untrustworthy, criminal (delete or add as applicable), so we have good reason to not trust them an inch. Therefore, only in exceptional circumstances are they allowed anywhere near us or our property'.

Do you have Legal Protection in your house insurance?

DE_612183

"A bit of background on the harassment, last year my sister had been living at the house alone and was renovating our garden which the neighbours were not happy about."

Are you sure it's just that? Sounds like there could be more to this than you are letting on...

user1977

Bendy_House said:

You could also, I understand, make the neighbour HAVE to go to their solicitor, to 'oblige' you to provide access.

No, you cannot force somebody else to instruct a solicitor.

mjm3346

Ignoring any legalities, you think there was harassment without cause what do you think would happen by refusing? Do you already have plans to move? 

HampshireH

Do your deeds include a clause about permitting access to them for repairs?

Personally I'd allow their roofer and their roofer only. But I wouldn't refuse it and if they are known to be a problem then refusing could just escalate the previous problem

lookstraightahead

Why weren't your neighbours happy with the renovations? Are they just difficult people or is there more to it?  

Bendy_House

user1977 said:

Bendy_House said:

You could also, I understand, make the neighbour HAVE to go to their solicitor, to 'oblige' you to provide access.

No, you cannot force somebody else to instruct a solicitor.

If you refuse their request for access, then afaIk the only way they can gain access is to instruct a solicitor. Is that not the case?