Neighbours have built over my boundary.

[Unklian]

Long story short.

My neighbours and I have our 2 drives between our houses.

20 years ago, they built a carport up to the boundary.
They then informed me that they'd forgotten about guttering.
That went in my side. No problem. I built a carport like theirs but 2 feet higher up as our houses are on a hill. My guttering is on their land.
Still OK by all.

Last year, they built a downstairs loo using the carport as a roof.

The problem......I'm having a block paved front put on my house.
Where my drive butts up to theirs, the installers are using quality
timber, about 6" x 9" as a low 8" wall between the 2 drives.
Neighbour has gone barmy......"That should be a brick wall etc......"

I want to get on with them but If he gets really up tight about it,
can I mention in passing that his toilet is 2" on my land?

Am I actually entitled to have them take it down & rebuild it?

I don't want to go down that route at all, I just thought that if I could be
seen to be flexible, perhaps they may calm down a little.

Suggestions Anyone?

Cheers.

Ian.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So the edging to your block paver driveway is edged with timber rather than masonry, does this or its foundation or similar breach the boundary? If not it has nothing to do with them unless you are draining surface water onto their property for instance. You are entitled to have them remove anything that is over your land and vice versa although you may need to have to get legal on their ass!

As no doubt you're aware some people can get quite territorial about their boundaries and these things can escalate so one needs to tread carefully. Neither of you will want to have to declare any disputes between you should one of you come to sell in the future.

 

[jeds]

What's the purpose of the 8" high fence/wall? Are you saying it retains your block paving or is it 8" high above the flat ground?

 

[Unklian]

Our houses are on a sloping street.
I've always got on well with the neighbours.
When we had "The Bloke" out to quote for the work
he suggested that to stop water pouring off our large front onto
the neighbours drive, it would be a good idea to have a lip at least 3" our side above the block paving.
Me, being helpful told the neighbours about it.
It would have been easy to build a 4 foot wall but I thought If we & they could both open our car doors over it, It would be convenient for us all.
The timbers are 25 year guaranteed pressure treated and after some have been fitted today, they are creosoted as well.

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• Unklian
• 15 Apr 2011
• 1

"Wall" is extending centrally between the carport posts.

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• Unklian
• 15 Apr 2011
• 1

Their loo, 2" over boundary (on left)

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• Unklian
• 15 Apr 2011
• 1

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So is it built over the boundary or on your side?

What is he objecting to exactly?

 

[Unklian]

So is it built over the boundary or on your side?

What is he objecting to exactly?

Under the carport (between their poles & our poles)
was what I presume, was the original double width brick wall.
I believe years ago, it had some kind of blocks on top.
Since I've lived there, they have block paved up to this wall.
I flagged up to my side.
Then the car port poles were installed. Each on our own side of the wall.
My new (timber) wall has been dug out for and is going central between the posts. Just replacing the old & broken with new.

What he is objecting to (I think) is he thinks the timbers will
not retain my block drive slightly above his......I think?
He stamped his foot and stomed off.

Perhaps, some of my timber is over the "bang centre" line between our two houses.
Did we own 1/2 the original wall each? I don't know.
I was (still am) in a panic if I am forced to remove the 1/2 of the
timber on his side.

As I mentioned earlier If 2" of my timber over the centre line warrants
my wall being dismantled, I presume his loo being 2" over my side warrants his loo being dismantled.

I'm just after some information to show that I can compromise with
him if he'll compromise with me.

If my timber is 2" on his side, can he demand I rebuild?

Sorry if this all sounds pathetic.

Ian.

 

[RedHerring2]

Why not try the mediation services?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/NoiseNuisanceAndLitter/DG_195635

It's free.

Another option:
http://www.rics.org/boundarydisputes

First 30 minutes are free.

 

[Unklian]

Thanks for the advice.

I've been round and apparently the BIG deal is not
what I'm having done, It's the fact that their access was blocked.

Very briefly and the contractors didn't get their fingers out & move stuff.

I'd got myself into a big flap about it all.

Asked about ten times if they were OK with the works,
they said they were.
They said about the wall under the carport.
We thought is was going to be a wall because footings are already there.
Wall / Timber became a big deal.

Mucho apologising and I think i'm halfway there.

Trouble is, Monday is a 12 tonne of sand delivery.
Tuesday is 80 sq metres of block paving delivery.

I'm going to contact the Main Man and ensure NOTHING goes near their access.

Crossed fingers the drivers understand.

Trying to stay calm over all this.

Thanks Again for listening.

Ian.