Right of Access - Boundary wall.

[dickens]

Hi, We have a situation where the wall at the end of our garden (also our boundary wall) is also a side wall to another property. The neighbours who own this wall want to re-point their wall which of course is fine BUT we are worried that the workmen could cause damage to our property as they need access and they need to erect scaffolding on our land. There's also a security issue because i do not want potential burglars climbing into our garden using the scaffolding and we have kids running around in the garden (we have been burgled a number of times). I believe it is not a party wall agreement that we need but a right of access? Can anyone confirm and advise how we go about getting something written down on paper because at the moment we are just trusting them but things have not been going well and i DO NOT want my garden damaged in any way. We also have a shed about a foot away from their wall (only 8ftx8ft) and I do not want them to damage the shed, as it's not a cheap shed. The work is due to start soon but now I'm concerned that we are not protected in anyway. Also does the scaffolder need a scaffolders license? Thank you

[woodstock]

You are right that this is not a Party Wall matter, if they own the wall. They also, I think, have a right of access to your property with sufficient warning to maintain their property. But if you are on good, or at least talking terms with your neighbours (so far...) I would suggest that you agree in writing what they are going to do, and want they are not allowed to do. And then take a lot of photos of the situation as it is, and then ask them to state that they will undertake to repair/make good, to your satisfaction, any thing that changes. And then both sign the document and get it independently witnessed. With common sense, on both sides, it all should be fine.

I've not heard of a scaffolders license. But you can ask for the contractors to put an alarm on the scaffolding. But in reality it should only up for a couple of days.

[marctt]

Hi, check if your home insurance includes legal cover ad if so call the associated legal helpline and they should advise you on both the legal position and practical way to deal with this.

Hope this helps