Average charge for access rights

Dusty_bear25

Hi there. 

Seeking advise/any comments on anyone's experiences re charging their neighbour for access rights to undertake build works. The upstairs leaseholder has planning agreed to build in to the dormer however to undertake the works the scaffolding needs to be placed in my front and back garden (privately owned). This will disable the use of the gardens, block natural light and cause noise disruption.

I'm told a daily or weekly rate is usually charged for both the inconvenience and access rights however there is no min or max sum set.

I don't wish to be unreasonable but also wish to be appropriately compensated but no idea what the correct price should be! 

Anyone had a similar situation? 

Thank you 

Tracet74

No experience on compensation but make sure you have a Party Wall Award in place to protect you from any potential damage.

Dusty_bear25

Tracet74 said:

No experience on compensation but make sure you have a Party Wall Award in place to protect you from any potential damage.

Great thank you 

HelpfulLittleHelper

I would focus on keeping the peace / being owed a favour for when you need something that inconveniences them rather than trying to get £50 or something silly like that because no way will this compensation be anything large.

sheramber

The price is what the neighbour is prepared to pay and how much you are wiling to  ‘sell’ the access for. 

Remember neighbour relations and that you will continue to live beside that neighbour, 

silvercar

A family member had this recently. They didn’t charge in the interest of future neighbourly relations, but did insist that the scaffolding was placed in such a way that a door from the house to the garden wasn’t blocked. That did mean the scaffolders had to use a different layout that took longer to erect and used more scaffolding, but it was the most sensible approach. The scaffolding remained in place for twice as long as originally intended, so they were glad they insisted.

Dusty_bear25

silvercar said:

A family member had this recently. They didn’t charge in the interest of future neighbourly relations, but did insist that the scaffolding was placed in such a way that a door from the house to the garden wasn’t blocked. That did mean the scaffolders had to use a different layout that took longer to erect and used more scaffolding, but it was the most sensible approach. The scaffolding remained in place for twice as long as originally intended, so they were glad they insisted.

Thank you, that's the issue, as I'm the ground floor apartment with private and sole use of the front and back garden, the only way they can build into the dormer for the flat above is by erecting the scaffolding in both gardens which will block the back doors and block light to my kitchen bedroom and lounge. I have a dog so majorly inconvenient. Also, the rear garden has wooden raised decking so Ill need their confirmation in writing that any damage to the decking will need to be remedied and paid for by them. Such a difficult scenario! 

Dusty_bear25

sheramber said:

The price is what the neighbour is prepared to pay and how much you are wiling to  ‘sell’ the access for. 

Remember neighbour relations and that you will continue to live beside that neighbour, 

Fully understood, to explain this is a two floor split maisonette where I own the ground floor flat and private ownership of gardens, what they're asking is to take over the gardens plus more to do their works. It's not a small access issue, it's all my external. 

Dusty_bear25

HelpfulLittleHelper said:

I would focus on keeping the peace / being owed a favour for when you need something that inconveniences them rather than trying to get £50 or something silly like that because no way will this compensation be anything large.

Thanks, it's not a small sum. I'm advised some are as much as £500 a day which is madness and something I don't propose to do, hence my post on the forum ☺️

Auti

Just a thought that they could not block access doors due to health and safety - what if there was a fire and you needed to use the door to exit?

Dusty_bear25

Auti said:

Just a thought that they could not block access doors due to health and safety - what if there was a fire and you needed to use the door to exit?

Very true. They're basically trying to save costs so they don't have to use more complex scaffolding but that would restrict my rear exit to the building completely as it would block both kitchen door and the back gate. Good point thanks.