HAVING neighbours is all fun and games, until they do something that negatively impacts your life.
One Brit shared how their mum’s neighbour had asked if he could install a gate over their shared driveway for security – but then went rogue with the plans.
In a Reddit thread, the man asked for advice about the situation, as he admitted he was close to taking matters into his own hands.
He shared how his mum had reluctantly agreed to the gate to “keep things civil” but wasn’t thrilled at the idea.
The issue came after the neighbour instead put up a large panel with a door across the shared driveway, which blocked full access to the garden.
The post explained: “He [the neighbour] then installed something else – this wooden fence with a small doorway.”
He argued that the narrow door would make it tricky to “move large furniture for example from our garage to the front of the house.”
The Reddit user continued: “We spoke to him straight away and said this was not the agreement and that it blocks our shared access and prevents large items being transported through the drive.
“He agreed to remove it but insisted he won’t take it down until he can find a metal gate to replace it.
“He is very concerned about burglaries.”
The Reddit user shared how the neighbour has not taken the fence down and claimed it is taking a while to find someone to install the metal gate.
He continued: “My suspicion is that he is just delaying as he is very bad at replying or keeping us updated on what’s happening.
“My temptation is to go round there and take it down myself but I understand this might result in me getting into trouble?
“Everyone is saying I want to avoid the courts with this due to the expense – but what are my options here if he refuses to respond any longer?”
People were quick to comment on the dilemma and chime in with their advice on the neighbour row.
One said: “Check your mum’s house insurance. Chances are it has provision for these types of disputes.”
Meanwhile, one reasoned: “He asked for permission and it was given
“You see this as him doing something different. You assumed he meant a full width gate.
“He meant he wanted to secure the entry and would add a gate. He probably feels he’s doing you both a favour adding to the security of the property.
“This is a communication issue. That is probably getting more serious than it needs to be.
“The first step would be a friendly chat before any legal action. It sounds like he is trying to accommodate but is probably also upset you gave permission and from his perspective he wasted his time and money building a wooden gate you are now not happy with.”
The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble
One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour’s argue
- Broken fences – top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it
- Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway
- Trees – complaints about a neighbour’s tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating
- Bin wars – outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours
- Nosy Neighbours – some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others
And a third commented: “As long as you don’t damage his property and return everything to them, there is nothing legally stopping you taking it down.”
Disputes over fences are one of the most common issues between neighbours.
According to Hamptons: “If it’s a shared fence, neighbours should agree on costs and materials before starting work.
“One neighbour cannot legally remove or alter a shared fence without the other’s consent.”
