Husband's just left to go to the gym (his self-imposed payment suspension starts from 1 March), so I've got an hour to myself and the sun is shining - so it's a good start to the day. I'm going to pop outside after I've posted this, to have a look round the garden with my notebook, to make notes of what needs doing tomorrow. Forecast to be sunny all day tomorrow, albeit cold, so I want to take advantage of the sunshine and get the garden ready for planting, the tree we bought last month to provide more privacy between us and the overbearing neighbour needs planting too.
On the subject of the neighbour, husband had a chat with him yesterday, it seems that building work (he's having his dilapidated old single-storey barn converted to a 2-storey holiday home) will start at the end of next month. The neighbour then said to husband that he thinks the best thing to do is for him (neighbour) to remove all of our fence and replace it with his own fence, which he says will be 5ft high. Only it won't be 5ft high, as the ground is lower on his side of the fence, so it will actually only be around 4ft high on our side. This shows the neighbour's arrogance - 'the best thing' is what HE wants, with no regard whatsoever to what WE want. Husband, I'm pleased to say, stood his ground and told the neighbour firmly that no, our fence is staying, it's not to be removed. Husband also pointed out that the existing 3ft high fence doesn't belong to the neighbour, it belongs to us - well, our landlords actually - so neighbour cannot remove it without permission. Which he's not getting. We know he wants to put his new fence where our existing fence is, giving him an extra few inches space on his side - land grab in other words. I've already emailed our landlords to tell them of the neighbour's plans and reiterate that we do not want our fence removed - I have plants growing up it, for a start. On Monday when our housing officer comes, I'll get her to take photos of our existing fence which she can pass on, with our wishes for the fence to stay, to the appropriate department. Meanwhile, I shall keep a close eye on what the neighbour is doing and if he shows any signs of starting to remove our fence, we'll be straight out there demanding he stops. He's a bully and, like all bullies, backs down when confronted, we've already found this out on previous encounters with him.
It's a pity, we really don't want to fall out with neighbours, we just want quiet peaceful enjoyment of our home and garden, particularly as it's our forever home. But I'm not having him ride roughshod over us, so if he really wants a fight, he'll get one!
Right, off outside whilst the sun is still shining - more showers forecast later.
There is nothing worse than bad neighbours. Good luck and stand your ground.
ReplyDeleteI'd ask your Housing Officer to let you have copies of any correspondence between the housing association (or their solicitors). Say that you think the neighbour's builders may try a land grab and plead ignorance but if you have the letters to hand, you can can show them. Friends of mine had similar issue with an extension being built. The husband not only showed the builders but got his wife to film that on her phone so no way could they/neighbour plead ignorance. Stopped them in their tracks lol.
ReplyDeleteSome people just haven't got the hang of what neighbourliness is, have they? Would it really have hurt him to call round to discuss, amicably, what his plans were and ask for your input, so you could come to an agreement that suited ALL parties? Such selfishness really makes my blood boil. A good idea to take photos and keep a log of what's happening. Hopefully, the HO will be able to get him sorted out!
ReplyDeleteVery cold (2C) here today and raining, so I won't be getting in the garden today. Maybe tomorrow... xx
I would take your own photos now showing exactly where the fence is and the plants that are growing there. Keep a written and photographed record of any work that takes place. I hope you won't need it but you've got it to hand if you do. And it would provide invaluable evidence for a solicitor and/or your housing association.
ReplyDeleteBefore we put up my fence I made sure to talk to the neighbor on the side that it would impact making sure they knew what I was thinking and asking if they had concerns. I think they appreciated it (and enjoy having a buffet for privacy on their side yard too as that's where their patio is. I'm not sure if they were unhappy what I'd have done but we'd figure something out.
ReplyDeleteYou're quite right - and it's so important with people like that to make it clear from the outset that you're no push over! Some people are just really hard work... 🙄
ReplyDeleteWe always talked to the neighbours about putting up our fence. We did it over a couple of summers, and the one neighbour even paid half the costs of the posts and rails. The other one didn't care and didn't pay half the cost of the posts and rails.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.