Neighbours need to put scaffolding in my garden

WIAWSNB

IvyFlood said:

So I got this message from him over the weekend;

"Sorry to keep pushing but we need an answer  yes or no so that we know how we're going to proceed.

I understand your concerns and want to mitigate them as much as is humanly possible:

In summary,

We've confirmed we will 100% cover any costs coming from any damage which is highly unlikely

We have a two week timescale starting when the roof materials are delivered on Wednesday 18th June

I will have this small section of scaffolding removed as soon as is feasible, at the earliest opportunity

It won't block access to your tap and you'll still be able to access that part of the garden for tidying etc

No waste to be dropped into your garden the builders will be aware

Our builder has offered to speak to you to address any concerns, offer still open

On a personal note the impact on us if the work comes to a stop will be massive. Extra costs will be incurred that we'll need to cover and we have very little headroom for this. Our existing roof is also leaking so this work is urgent as that can't be fixed until the extension roof is also addressed. The extension will also be exposed to the elements for an longer period of time which could cause damage to the work so far

Once again sorry for the inconvenience and timing of all this, certainly didn't plan it that way"

...I find the tone of this very manipulative, piling on the pressure and emotional blackmail. Their financial constraints are not my responsibility. I would have thought most sensible people put at least 20% contingency into such a build. A two story extension costs what 120K? What's a couple 1-2k for cantilevered scaffolding? The 2 weeks has also now changed to 'as soon as feasible'. Plus its nothing to do with the builder - its the scaffolders. He can't promise me anything as its not in his control. I also feel they are very stupid to order building materials to be delivered this Wednesday without my permission. 

I've not said but my husband was violent and was arrested and on bail so I have a court case to look forward to whilst single parenting our 16 month old son. I've not told my neighbours the full extent only that we separated, I wouldn't want to put my personal life on their shoulders but they seem happy to do it to me! But I really do not have the headspace to deal with it if it drags on longer than 2 weeks, which it will. My garden is my sanctuary at the moment!

We/I've never got on with them despite trying. They always seemed very unfriendly and unapproachable. Now suddenly they want something. Even before all this I wouldn't even consider asking them for a favour as we just don't have that sort of relationship so I don't think there'll be any love lost.

Also, regarding my outside tap, I do need full access to it to get myself right round and in front of it - I couldn't do this with poles in the way which there will be as its a tight corner. I'll try and share some pictures later...

Hi Ivy.

You are in a highly stressful situation in your personal life - cannot begin to imagine. 

But please please try and separate the two issues. I have to say that I think that's a perfectly reasonable letter from your neighbour, and they appear to have tried to reassure you and covered all contingencies. And, yes, it appears to be a roof recovering or repair, easily - typically - doable in 2 weeks.

It's your call, but I think it would be better for everyone, you included, if you say "Thanks for the reassurance, and that's fine..." One less stressful issue to worry about.

You don't get on with your neighbours, particularly, but that's quite normal! It could be a lot worse :-)

IvyFlood

@Boohoo it is a 2 story extension, they are joining it to a previous 2 story extension that was done years ago that is very close to the boundary wall, hence the need for scaffolding in my garden. The new 2 story extension is to the right of this old extension with my house/garden being to the left. I'll see if I can get a plan...

mjm3346

Beeblebr0x said:

mjm3346 said:

So at the moment it involves a bit of "waste" ground - absolutely you can refuse but if I was your neighbour I would make your life a living hell and apart from anything else that would potentially scupper your chances of a decent price if you tried to sell.

That works both ways if the neighbour decides to move, as they will have to declare the spat.

Not once the OP has gone

IvyFlood

So I've found some drawings from above before and after. I am number 3.

The red line I have drawn indicates where the scaffolding would go (or where I've been told it would go).

The 'box' to the side of the kitchen window is the existing extension that was done in the 90s that they are building onto and need to access the roof of it.

casper_gutman

Given that they're building a large two-storey extension with a roof that needs tying into that of the existing house, it makes sense to me that they'd take the opportunity to replace the tiles across the whole thing, so it all matches (and doesn't leak!).

The boundary between your gardens comes out at a pretty sharp angle to the wall of the houses, so it is understandable that scaffolding for accessing the roof on the boundary between the houses might need to use some supports which would be on your side of the fence.

If I'm reading the drawing right, though, there's no extension near the boundary. The area with squares shown is presumably a paved patio area? That being the case, I've no idea why anyone would need scaffolding over anything like the area you've marked in red. I'd expect it to extend no more than a metre or two out from the back wall of the house.

The request to put some part of the scaffolding on your land seems reasonable in principle, to me. All the more so if the part we're talking about is for replacing the leaking roof of the existing house and not really related to building the new extension (except that both areas are being done at the same time).

casper_gutman

Also - if that part of the scaffolding is only needed for the time taken to re-do the roof covering on the existing house, the two-week timescale doesn't sound all that unrealistic to me. We had our large 1930s semi re-roofed, replacing battens, membrane and tiles, and the work took a fortnight give or take. You could probably add a day or two for the scaffolding to be erected and dismantled, so maybe three weeks total? 

Yes, some scaffolders like to leave things in place until the parts are needed elsewhere, but this should be avoidable if you - and your neighbours - are clear about the need for it to come down as soon as it's no longer needed.

Personally I'd allow this, and would encourage you to do so too, though I'd want more clarity about the extent of the scaffolding and a written agreement as to duration with some sort of compensation for running over, say, three weeks. 

Grenage

The neighbour seems pretty reasonable.  I'd certainly allow access.

As distressing as your personal problems are, they aren't related to the issue.  

twopenny

If it makes you feel any better I had to have scaffolding over my house and I was fairly frantic about damage but the scaffolders know what they are doing and quick at doing it.

victor2

We had scaffolding over a bit of our land when the neighbour extended their house. Wasn't obtrusive but was there for several weeks. When we extended our house, we needed scaffolding on our land only, but did have to temporarily remove some fence panels to give the builders access by stepping into the neighbour's land. No problem - the scaffolders did appear to break one of the neighbour's ornate plant pots and the builders denied any knowledge of it. I just bought her a new plant pot and bunch of flowers at my expense. Wasn't worth making a big deal out of it - they had to put up with the builders blasting Radio 2 out while building it for the best part of 3 months anyway! 

HampshireH

Your posts come across as really unreasonable.

Their message didn't read as manipulative or blackmail. They sounded like they were appealling to someone who is stringing out giving them a response.

They just want a yes or no. If the answer is no then tell them.

If you have questions then ask them.

As you said they don't know what you've got going on. Likewise you don't know the ins and outs of their life.