Shared garage-neighbour wanting to re-roof

klawley36

I have a freehold property with a detached from the house semi detached double garage that sits astride the property boundary lines. The one on our side is ours and the other side is the neighbours. 
He caught me today (only talking to me when I said my husband who he clearly wanted to talk to instead because he isn't female) to "inform me" he was going to take the roof off both garages and replace it with a new roof of terracotta red tiles. I was rather taken aback as you can imagine because it was very much telling and not asking but I proceeded to engage in the conversation amicably but informing him that I was not about to just agree to being told what someone was going to do to my property and I was not happy to have a different colour roof on the house (as the tiles on our house are dark brown and it wouldn't be in keeping with the house). 

He instantly did not see what the problem was and why I would care what colour the garage was as it was a separate building to the house (il come to the irony of that in a min).
I said I care because it's my house and my decision and could I have the number of the builder he was engaging so that I might discuss options with them. I am not opposed to having the roof redone as such but I will not be dictated to by someone else what I have done to my property. He refused to give me the name or number and started to walk away. Up until this point I was being more than reasonable and I explained to him I was not saying no by any means but I wanted to discuss the options with the builder. I also wanted to know who this builder was etc to make sure he was someone reputable and not some random cowboy. 

It is worth stating that we repainted the garage a while back and engaged with them first offering to do their side also and cover the costs. They politely declined because it wouldn't match their house ...you see where I have a problem with the irony here. So our side of the garage is grey which matches our house and theirs is cream and we went precisely to the middle of the garage and scored a line down the middle to keep it looking clean and tidy. 

So in theory the roof being half and half is fine because it wouldn't look out of keeping given that the garage walls are half and half. 

My husband then arrived and got involved in the conversation with the neighbour eventually conceding that he would talk to the builder about tile colours and "try to get us the number" as he "isn't sure he actually has it " (which is utterly ridiculous) but I want to know my rights here. I believe this falls under the party wall act? 

He can't just do work without my consent I assume? Any guidance would be appreciated

Thanks 

ThisIsWeird

Does the roof need doing? If not, why does he want to redo it?
And does your half need redoing?
And are the two halves currently different coloured tiles, each matching their respective houses? Or, is a single colour tile currently fitted, which happens to match your house and not his?
In essence tho', he cannot touch your roof without your permission. He can, obviously, do his, but that will mean that the roofer will be making contact with the joining column of your tiles too, and it would be normal to allow this to happen - but not if you don't trust him. So, you need to have a full understanding and agreement of what the plan is first. And you need to know which roofer he plans to use, so you can also clarify it with them.

Do you have LP on your house insurance?

So, in a recordable way - written or actual recording - have this conversation. Be super reasonable and un-emotive. Explain the options as above;
1) he can do his roof if he likes, "right up to there" (point...)
2) he can do the whole roof with your permission, but your tiles will need to match your house - and you offer to pay for your part (assuming yours needs doing/ you want it done).
3) if your side doesn't need doing, then he can fill his boots and redo it if he really wants, but at his expense, and with your choice of tile - of you want him to.

If he/his builder starts to strip your roof without your permission, you go out with your phone recording and demand they stop right away, and remind them that you refused permission for this. If, by some bizarre reason, they refuse to stop, you call the local police, right in front of them, and continue to record.

DRP

“If by some bizarre reason, they refuse to stop, you call the local police, right in front of them, and continue to record”

and while you’re waiting for the cops, get your hosepipe out 👍🏽

ThisIsWeird

DRP said:

“If by some bizarre reason, they refuse to stop, you call the local police, right in front of them, and continue to record”

and while you’re waiting for the cops, get your hosepipe out 👍🏽

So the cops can arrest you

:-)

Brie

He may have good reason to have his portion of the roof replaced. If your definitely doesn't need replacing then you can say no but emphasise that his builder will need to ensure there is no damage to your portion and that any capping (or whatever you call it) at the joining point is done in such a fashion to ensure you have no leaks.  If your roof is tired and might need doing in a couple of years then getting it all done as one job makes sense.  

I'd be asking about the scaffolding as well.  Does any of the work mean you won't be able to access your garage while it's being done?

theoretica

Did you get the impression when the work might have been intended to start?  I am wondering if it would be worth - in addition to sending a documented letter to the neighbour - putting a note on your garage where any builder would see it making it clear that no permission has been given for work on your side.

TELLIT01

Irrespective of whether the roof is in need of replacement, it's not for the neighbour to decide that it will be done now and after no consultation with the owner of the garage.  If the neighbour is offering to get both done at no cost to the OP it might be worth thinking about.

ic

klawley36 said:

I believe this falls under the party wall act?

Not a change of roof covering.