You don't need to have it rendered for it to look OK. What he's asking you for is exorbitant and you should NOT pay it. Please don't be bullied.
I agree with others that you should insist that the actual boundary be agreed between you. If it's a party wall you can do what you want to your side and he cannot oblige you to pay for his choice of 'upgrade'. If it's his wall, he must keep his wall - and it's footings - to his side. You also need to be very clear if he has a right of access onto your land to build or maintain his boundary - this should be on your Land Registry entry (or his) - how long have you lived there? If it's your boundary, then he must build his wall far enough inside for you to be able to maintain your fence from his side.
Assuming it's just his wall and he has no right of access to your side, then you can plant what you want on your side. If it was me I'd get some wooden posts banged in as tight to the boundary as you physically can, with wires between and grow a riot of lovely climbers which will enjoy the warmth and shelter of the wall. As long as your supports don't touch his wall, it's not his concern. And that way you won't get a strip of no man's land between - your ground will be clear to his wall. He'll be allowed to trim the bits off that spill over his wall, so go for things that don't mind rather robust top trimming.
In a year or two you won't be able to see the thing between your lovely shrubs and some spectacular new climbers
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I'm not sure the part about the footings having to remain on his side of the boundary is correct. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the footings can extend beyond the boundary. It's because it seemed wrong that it stuck in my mind. Certainly worth checking out.
I've just found this on another site which does support the belief that the foundations can encroach on neighbouring land.
As that article states (in the replies), he would have to serve a Party Wall notice and probably pay you money (compensation) in order to do that. And he doesn't automatically have a right to come onto your land to actually build it unless the Deeds say he does.
I can understand you not wanting to get into an argument and there's no real need to go into all of this. I would simply say 'no, thank you' to the rendering and make sure you are there when the works begin to talk directly to his builder - who will most likely be far more amenable - about suitable protection for your precious shrubs.
Then do what you want once it's up, just don't touch the wall with any sort of fixing or finish. Hide it.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I think you need to take on board all the advice here ggranny. Stand your ground (if you'll pardon the semi pun) and make it clear you're paying for nowt, and you're not happy with the situation, and will be seeking legal advice. Sometimes that's enough to make them realise you're not a pushover. If the worst comes to the worst, you can disguise it, but don't let him browbeat you into paying for his wall.
Of course, some folk just think they can walk over others, and make their lives miserable if they don't get their own way. If he thinks you'r e easily intimidated, he'll just push his luck. If you have any family memebers or friends who can be with you for a bit of moral support, that might help.
I wish you luck, and let us know your progress. We can offer some support, at least, if not actual, practical help.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I am most gratefull for everybody's suggestions and comments. In the end we have decided to decline his kind offer to part-fund his wall. We have offered to share the cost of a small section that adjoins the house wall (we are semi-detached) where there is a short section of pre-existing wall. He has declined this offer and very pointedly said that he will now build the wall on his side of the wire netting boundary line and instruct his builder under no circumstance to render or paint the side facing us.
Phew. With neighbours like that I think I am almost grateful that they want to shut themselves away from any contact with humanity.
We are now working on which shrubs we can use to conceal the breezeblock, which will grow to two metres relatively quickly. I think there is only one very small section that will be very visible so am considering cotoneaster or pyracantha. I reckon we could do quite a lot with just a fraction of the two and a half thousand we will not be shelling out.
I wonder how he will cope with anything that overhangs his high wall - it would be too much trouble for him to actually climb up to lop anything off!
So pleased you stood your ground on this. I'm all for neighbourly co-operation but giving in to bullies is not the same thing at all .
Which way will your side of the wall be facing? Philadelphus for sun, lilac or escallonia for partial shade, that hydrangea that climbs for shade .....
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Eila we don't have the option to render or paint - neighbour has specifically said no to that.
Raisingirl - the exisiting "hedge" currently comprises holly, abelia, viburnum bodnantense, and escallonia, a large shrub rose (sweet Juluet) more holly and philadelphus all about six feet tall. There will be just a small section where the wall will be very visible and that is where I intend to put cotoneaster, or possibly pyracantha. I think we will be able to conceal the offending wall OK. I'm just amazed that anybody can want to hide all that - but then what do I know? Some of us like shrubs, scent and birds and others prefer high walls and no plants. We are all individuals.
meanwhile OH is so upset by neighbours rude response that he is considering a very naturalistic boundary to replace the existing hedge at the front which the neighbour also wants removed. We have several large sections of hollow tree and OH has decided to treat them and set them in concrete as our boundary between the two houses at the front. These can then be planted with something colourful! I wonder what his comment will be when he sees that? Perhaps he'll build another wall adjacent to it so that he doesn't have to look at growing things.
Thank goodness we have really nice neighbours on the other side.
Posts
You don't need to have it rendered for it to look OK. What he's asking you for is exorbitant and you should NOT pay it. Please don't be bullied.
I agree with others that you should insist that the actual boundary be agreed between you. If it's a party wall you can do what you want to your side and he cannot oblige you to pay for his choice of 'upgrade'. If it's his wall, he must keep his wall - and it's footings - to his side. You also need to be very clear if he has a right of access onto your land to build or maintain his boundary - this should be on your Land Registry entry (or his) - how long have you lived there? If it's your boundary, then he must build his wall far enough inside for you to be able to maintain your fence from his side.
Assuming it's just his wall and he has no right of access to your side, then you can plant what you want on your side. If it was me I'd get some wooden posts banged in as tight to the boundary as you physically can, with wires between and grow a riot of lovely climbers which will enjoy the warmth and shelter of the wall. As long as your supports don't touch his wall, it's not his concern. And that way you won't get a strip of no man's land between - your ground will be clear to his wall. He'll be allowed to trim the bits off that spill over his wall, so go for things that don't mind rather robust top trimming.
In a year or two you won't be able to see the thing between your lovely shrubs and some spectacular new climbers
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I'm not sure the part about the footings having to remain on his side of the boundary is correct. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the footings can extend beyond the boundary. It's because it seemed wrong that it stuck in my mind. Certainly worth checking out.
I've just found this on another site which does support the belief that the foundations can encroach on neighbouring land.
http://forum.building.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?tid=4293
Last edited: 23 May 2017 15:07:29
As that article states (in the replies), he would have to serve a Party Wall notice and probably pay you money (compensation) in order to do that. And he doesn't automatically have a right to come onto your land to actually build it unless the Deeds say he does.
I can understand you not wanting to get into an argument and there's no real need to go into all of this. I would simply say 'no, thank you' to the rendering and make sure you are there when the works begin to talk directly to his builder - who will most likely be far more amenable - about suitable protection for your precious shrubs.
Then do what you want once it's up, just don't touch the wall with any sort of fixing or finish. Hide it.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
What a t***er. Total bully.
I think you need to take on board all the advice here ggranny. Stand your ground (if you'll pardon the semi pun) and make it clear you're paying for nowt, and you're not happy with the situation, and will be seeking legal advice. Sometimes that's enough to make them realise you're not a pushover. If the worst comes to the worst, you can disguise it, but don't let him browbeat you into paying for his wall.
Of course, some folk just think they can walk over others, and make their lives miserable if they don't get their own way. If he thinks you'r e easily intimidated, he'll just push his luck. If you have any family memebers or friends who can be with you for a bit of moral support, that might help.
I wish you luck, and let us know your progress. We can offer some support, at least, if not actual, practical help.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I am most gratefull for everybody's suggestions and comments. In the end we have decided to decline his kind offer to part-fund his wall. We have offered to share the cost of a small section that adjoins the house wall (we are semi-detached) where there is a short section of pre-existing wall. He has declined this offer and very pointedly said that he will now build the wall on his side of the wire netting boundary line and instruct his builder under no circumstance to render or paint the side facing us.
Phew. With neighbours like that I think I am almost grateful that they want to shut themselves away from any contact with humanity.
We are now working on which shrubs we can use to conceal the breezeblock, which will grow to two metres relatively quickly. I think there is only one very small section that will be very visible so am considering cotoneaster or pyracantha. I reckon we could do quite a lot with just a fraction of the two and a half thousand we will not be shelling out.
I wonder how he will cope with anything that overhangs his high wall - it would be too much trouble for him to actually climb up to lop anything off!
So pleased you stood your ground on this. I'm all for neighbourly co-operation but giving in to bullies is not the same thing at all
.
Which way will your side of the wall be facing? Philadelphus for sun, lilac or escallonia for partial shade, that hydrangea that climbs for shade .....
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I would not have the wall rendered just plant to disguise the wall.
Rendering these days can often crack and look unsightly even the K rend which is the trend at the moment can crack and discolour.
Eila we don't have the option to render or paint - neighbour has specifically said no to that.
Raisingirl - the exisiting "hedge" currently comprises holly, abelia, viburnum bodnantense, and escallonia, a large shrub rose (sweet Juluet) more holly and philadelphus all about six feet tall. There will be just a small section where the wall will be very visible and that is where I intend to put cotoneaster, or possibly pyracantha. I think we will be able to conceal the offending wall OK. I'm just amazed that anybody can want to hide all that - but then what do I know? Some of us like shrubs, scent and birds and others prefer high walls and no plants. We are all individuals.
meanwhile OH is so upset by neighbours rude response that he is considering a very naturalistic boundary to replace the existing hedge at the front which the neighbour also wants removed. We have several large sections of hollow tree and OH has decided to treat them and set them in concrete as our boundary between the two houses at the front. These can then be planted with something colourful! I wonder what his comment will be when he sees that? Perhaps he'll build another wall adjacent to it so that he doesn't have to look at growing things.
Thank goodness we have really nice neighbours on the other side.
Many thanks for your concern - much appreciated.
It sounds lovely
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”