Neighbour dispute after extension

WIAWSNB

skintdaddy79 said:

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply. Basically it's a gap of around 2-3 metres (if that) by a nearly a metre between ours and theirs. There originally were x2 fence panels in that gap so no pavers were there in the first place. We've built up to our boundary so now the fences aren't there hence the need for a few extra blocks and this is what a charge would have been for. We would have paid this of course but didn't get a chance to make that choice as the builders were asked to leave. As i say they're not the most approachable and can be quite rude but I just want this 'putting to bed'. Are we at fault here or is it both parties?

I still don't fully understand. 

Why is there no longer a fence between you - because you built your extension up to it? 

You removed some paving bricks(?) along the old boundary line to allow you to lay the foundation, and you clearly should replace these at least as neatly as they were prior to this. 

That's your obligation. Otherwise it's technically 'trespass with criminal property damage'. Ok, it ain't, since they agreed it, but it was with the expectation you'd fix it. 

Phew. 

Ok, I'm guessing that since the fence is no longer required since your extension wall is now along there, where your two properties meet now has a scraggly gap? If they replaced the fence tight against your wall, that would fill it?! But clearly that doesn't make much sense, as a fence would serve no purpose.

So, what the neighbour is expecting is for you to make good their side with the removed paving bricks, but to also fill in this fence gap, so it's nice paves up to your new wall? 

If so, I think that's not unreasonable of them. You mucked up the boundary feature - the fence - for your benefit, and you are telling them 'tough'. They allowed you to disturb their paving bricks, but you aren't giving them any concession in return. 

You don't have to, but - wow - I think a bit churlish. 

Confirm - what your builder would need to do is to replace the removed bricks, and then add one or two other rows? Ie, next to now't. 

If that's the case, then I'm losing sympathy with you. They shouldn't really be worse off from you having your gorgeous new extension. 

If you are concerned that the true boundary line might be blurred, you could always run the row(s) along your wall in a contrasting colour

I'm also pretty sure your builders will want to brick right up to your wall - they won't want a half-completed job.

Hopefully your DPC height is well above the pavement level? If in any doubt, an alternative could be to lay coarse gravel along there, but the bricks would still need fixing neatly first. 

skintdaddy79

WIAWSNB said:

skintdaddy79 said:

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply. Basically it's a gap of around 2-3 metres (if that) by a nearly a metre between ours and theirs. There originally were x2 fence panels in that gap so no pavers were there in the first place. We've built up to our boundary so now the fences aren't there hence the need for a few extra blocks and this is what a charge would have been for. We would have paid this of course but didn't get a chance to make that choice as the builders were asked to leave. As i say they're not the most approachable and can be quite rude but I just want this 'putting to bed'. Are we at fault here or is it both parties?

I still don't fully understand. 

Why is there no longer a fence between you - because you built your extension up to it? 

You removed some paving bricks(?) along the old boundary line to allow you to lay the foundation, and you clearly should replace these at least as neatly as they were prior to this. 

That's your obligation. Otherwise it's technically 'trespass with criminal property damage'. Ok, it ain't, since they agreed it, but it was with the expectation you'd fix it. 

Phew. 

Ok, I'm guessing that since the fence is no longer required since your extension wall is now along there, where your two properties meet now has a scraggly gap? If they replaced the fence tight against your wall, that would fill it?! But clearly that doesn't make much sense, as a fence would serve no purpose.

So, what the neighbour is expecting is for you to make good their side with the removed paving bricks, but to also fill in this fence gap, so it's nice paves up to your new wall? 

If so, I think that's not unreasonable of them. You mucked up the boundary feature - the fence - for your benefit, and you are telling them 'tough'. They allowed you to disturb their paving bricks, but you aren't giving them any concession in return. 

You don't have to, but - wow - I think a bit churlish. 

Confirm - what your builder would need to do is to replace the removed bricks, and then add one or two other rows? Ie, next to now't. 

If that's the case, then I'm losing sympathy with you. They shouldn't really be worse off from you having your gorgeous new extension. 

If you are concerned that the true boundary line might be blurred, you could always run the row(s) along your wall in a contrasting colour

I'm also pretty sure your builders will want to brick right up to your wall - they won't want a half-completed job.

Hopefully your DPC height is well above the pavement level? If in any doubt, an alternative could be to lay coarse gravel along there, but the bricks would still need fixing neatly first. 

"Why is there no longer a fence between you - because you built your extension up to it?" Yes this correct. We have now built up to the boundary line and therefore where there was a fence (2 panels), is no longer there hence the 2 fence panel sized gap where there were, obviously, no pavers therr in the first place if that makes sense. The charge our builder is referring to would have been for the extra blocks needed to fill this gap. But, he stopped them from doing any of it and the builders left site so we never got a chance to have this discussion about it. They were going to fill it with white stone but neighbour wanted the paving up in the gap.
Like i say, they WERE going to make good but would need to charge for the extra pavers. 

swingaloo

Seems very petty to me. 
Just refuse to do anything and let them stew.

-Then if and when anything happens and you need any kind of work/repair done on the wall of your extension meaning a builders need to go on their property to enable the job to be done be prepared for them to refuse access. 

That will teach them! 

ExEstateAgent

Well the builders didn't finish the job and didn't seek your instructions about the neighbours request, so perhaps your gripe should be with them rather than your neighbour? 

Ask them to return and finish the job and that you will pay them to put the extra paving down. They shouldn't have a problem with that if they're responsible people. 

HillStreetBlues

Sometimes I read a thread and a person's mentality is so alien to me I can't begin to understand.

WIAWSNB

To be fair, we don't know the nuance of this.
Rereading the OP, it appears that 'paving' existed all the way between the two original neighbouring sides, with a small gap in the middle where the boundary fencing ran. 
The OP's paving was removed for their extension, along with the fence, leaving this fence-width slot on the 'boundary'. Some of the neighb's paving was also removed with their permission to allow the founds to be laid, and the builder's plan was to relay these afterwards and put gravel along the remaining slot alongside the new extension wall.
One could argue that gravel is a better material here as it reduces rain splash up the new wall, it drains, and it'll likely demarcate more accurately the true boundary line.
As the builder was replacing the neighbour's paving, they asked about this wee gap, and weren't happy with the builder's plan. 
They told the builder to stop, and they now insist on a strip of full paving to fill that gap, as opposed to gravel.
The OP can correct any of that.
We don't know the manner of the neighb's approach to the builder, but it appears that instead of accepting their presumed response of, "We'll have a word with our client, and see what they say", they were told to stop and leave.
Does that cover it, I wonder?
Bottom line - all the OP has to do is make good the neighb's paving, and ditto the gap - in an acceptable way.
In this situation, I - as the neighb - would accept gravel, as I understand its purpose. But, pave would most likely be fine too.
So, there's no obvious right or wrong here as far as I can see. And if the neighb has been particularly unpleasant in their manner to the builder, I'd be havering between 'ok' and telling then 'non'.
SDaddy, with the original paving up to your original house wall, how did the two meet - paved tight, or a gravel line? Perhaps make that the 'decider'?

skintdaddy79

WIAWSNB said:

To be fair, we don't know the nuance of this.
Rereading the OP, it appears that 'paving' existed all the way between the two original neighbouring sides, with a small gap in the middle where the boundary fencing ran. 
The OP's paving was removed for their extension, along with the fence, leaving this fence-width slot on the 'boundary'. Some of the neighb's paving was also removed with their permission to allow the founds to be laid, and the builder's plan was to relay these afterwards and put gravel along the remaining slot alongside the new extension wall.
One could argue that gravel is a better material here as it reduces rain splash up the new wall, it drains, and it'll likely demarcate more accurately the true boundary line.
As the builder was replacing the neighbour's paving, they asked about this wee gap, and weren't happy with the builder's plan. 
They told the builder to stop, and they now insist on a strip of full paving to fill that gap, as opposed to gravel.
The OP can correct any of that.
We don't know the manner of the neighb's approach to the builder, but it appears that instead of accepting their presumed response of, "We'll have a word with our client, and see what they say", they were told to stop and leave.
Does that cover it, I wonder?
Bottom line - all the OP has to do is make good the neighb's paving, and ditto the gap - in an acceptable way.
In this situation, I - as the neighb - would accept gravel, as I understand its purpose. But, pave would most likely be fine too.
So, there's no obvious right or wrong here as far as I can see. And if the neighb has been particularly unpleasant in their manner to the builder, I'd be havering between 'ok' and telling then 'non'.
SDaddy, with the original paving up to your original house wall, how did the two meet - paved tight, or a gravel line? Perhaps make that the 'decider'?

As you have said above in bold, this is correct. The neighb wants the paving all the way up. So the original paving were paved up to our old building but where the fence was there was no paving as the fence was there. Neighb was told there would be charge for filling in this gap with paving, this would be for the extra blocks. I don't think this was conveyed to him tbh and it was at this point the builders were asked to leave. Again these were discussions between him and them, i was not involved at all!
The more and more we discuss this the more petty it seems 
I just want it put to bed and it seems the general consensus on here is "just pay to have it done". But I'm struggling with that, it's more money to pay out which I could do without. If they were nicer and more cooperative about it all I probably would have done this already.

Cressida100

To be blunt, if your neighbours have had to live next door to all the building work since March I would be bending over backwards to stay friendly (and be grateful). It's a massive inconvenience to a lot of people with lots of banging, dust and extra vehicles around. It doesn't sound like you are on particularly good terms with them if you are coming here to complain. If you are planning on staying in this property for a long time you should put things right. If your neighbours have brought up parking issues in the past it sounds like they managed this inconvenience pretty well. 

I think the jealousy comment was a bit petty, why on earth do people think all issues are caused by jealousy? 

Section62

skintdaddy79 said:

youth_leader said:

You do not want to have to declare a neigbbour dispute when you sell.  Your neighbour and builder are at fault - your neighbour had no right to instruct your builder, and your builder should not have carried out his request without your permission.  His contract was with you.  

Just suck it up and pay for the work, you won't regret it.  Then play loud music and have very smoky barbecues  

This is what I'm thinking, i just wish the builder had rang me on the day at the time and it would have all been sorted. I got a voice note over WhatsApp after the event so there was little i could at that point as I was at work at the time all this happened. I've said to the neighbour to contact our builder direct and discuss but he wont. 

I don't understand why people are blaming the builder for taking instructions from the neighbour.  The work was being done in the neighbour's garden (AIUI) - so if the neighbour told the builder he couldn't do the work and had to leave the property then the builder had no option but to do so.

So the issue is about communication - when did the builder first tell you there was a problem and he hadn't been able to do the work?  Did you have a look in the neighbour's garden or speak to them on the day to make sure the work had been done correctly?  When did you first find out there was an issue?

skintdaddy79

Section62 said:

skintdaddy79 said:

youth_leader said:

You do not want to have to declare a neigbbour dispute when you sell.  Your neighbour and builder are at fault - your neighbour had no right to instruct your builder, and your builder should not have carried out his request without your permission.  His contract was with you.  

Just suck it up and pay for the work, you won't regret it.  Then play loud music and have very smoky barbecues  

This is what I'm thinking, i just wish the builder had rang me on the day at the time and it would have all been sorted. I got a voice note over WhatsApp after the event so there was little i could at that point as I was at work at the time all this happened. I've said to the neighbour to contact our builder direct and discuss but he wont. 

I don't understand why people are blaming the builder for taking instructions from the neighbour.  The work was being done in the neighbour's garden (AIUI) - so if the neighbour told the builder he couldn't do the work and had to leave the property then the builder had no option but to do so.

So the issue is about communication - when did the builder first tell you there was a problem and he hadn't been able to do the work?  Did you have a look in the neighbour's garden or speak to them on the day to make sure the work had been done correctly?  When did you first find out there was an issue?

The builder advised me on the day later on via a WhatsApp voice note (they had already left at that point). 
No i didn't speak to the neighbor on the day as I assumed they were sorting themselves and heard no more about it until nearly 4 weeks later when he confronted me about it saying it needs sorting....