My neighbour says we have got 4 tiny dots of fence paint on her car?

Question

Our neighbour has complained a week later after painting the fence that we have got paint on her car. When checking there are 4 tiny dots of paint round a dent, she is saying the whole panel might have to be re-done. However we have heard she is a known pain in the backside and is also trying to sell the car. Her husband has been to jail for car ringing and I think she may have sprayed paint on it herself to try and get money out of us. We have only been in out new house 6 months. Our other neighbour ex police said she used to worry the old lady who used to live in our house quite often with demands. She has no proof we have done it and I'm really not sure we did. What rights do we have? She says she is going to send the bill round from BMW.

Answer 1

Tell her to produce the evidence. This paint could have come from anywhere. In court, it is a matter of the balance of probabilities that might go against you but to replace a whole panel is rediculous.

If it is 4 small dots it would probably come off without the need to do the whole panel. A razorblade will normally lift it off easily without damaging the paint underneath.Even if the removal of the dots damages the finish underneath, T-Cut will put that right.

She is trying to rip you off by the sound of it. Just tell her to go away and haunt someone else.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I assume you're in the UK.

Let's also assume that the spots are from the fence paint - the other answers have pretty much dealt with what you should do if you think you're being had over; and done so pretty well.

If you've been using normal outdoor gloss/emulsion paint, then the spots should simply wipe off using white spirit if they have landed on a finished surface, like a car panel. I suggest you offer to remove them, the response should tell you if this is a try-on or not.

BMW won't need to respray a panel because of four dots of paint. Why not call your local garage (any repair shop will do), say it's on your car and what do they suggest?
If they say they can remove the paint in five minutes without a problem, you may think it worth your while to offer that service and fork out the £50 to get rid of the hassle.

But could it be that your neighbour really wants the dent repaired?

The trouble with bluff (and this sounds like a bluff to me) is that sooner or later, if you call it, they've got to carry through, or back down.
They can send you all the invoices they want, ultimately the invoice has to be paid by them.
What are they going to do - sue you? It's a small claim at best so no legal costs ensue.
They've no proof it was you and as soon as it's 'repaired' all evidence disappears anyway.

As someone who has litigated many neighbour disputes, my strong suggestion to you is never, ever become embroiled in one. They will sap your will to live (and your wallet).

You've got to decide at the outset whether you are going to opt for confrontation and take a stand 'as a matter of principal' or going to opt for least friction and hassle.
If you opt for the former, be prepared for a war of attrition and make absolutely sure in your own mind that's what you want.

One you've decided which of these two routes you want to take, the 'answer' to your question will reveal itself.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

First of all, i know you haven't been there long but i would MOVE! People like this will ruin your life and if i was in your situation i would get out of there as soon as possible.

For now, you need to think about the implications about either falling out with her big time or paying up and then planing the seed in her head that your a soft touch.

If you stand your ground your going to have a lot of chew here, if she's done this a few times before she'll be well up on the law, what she can claim from you, etc and prepare yourself for what might come. That might start a real battle between you, possibly revenge attack against your car or property, maybe a solicitiors letter and then taken to court, do YOU consider it better to pay up and avoid what may turn out to be a long drawn out battle that will cost you a fortune in time and money?

OR, yes, you could say here's the cash, off you go but then you just know she's going to come back in a month with something else because you've then set a precidence, you've opened the flood gates to a million and one claims for everything such as your trees hanging over her garden to your partner watching her sunbathing.

If it was me i would offer to take it to a garage of YOUR CHOICE if your pretty sure you did it (which you probably did) because this could be a one and only time and it might be worth it just to keep the peace.
Get someone to call round from a few garages and give you a price, you pay them direct and don't go through her or she might bump up the price and pocket the rest.

Then, make 100% sure she knows there is absolutely no chance this situation will happen again, your doing it once and only as a genture of good will because there's no proof you did it.

And then move.

Answer 4

Does she have "proof" you did it?
I would tell her to file a report with the police department. This way it is on file for her "satisfaction". The police would just report what she said and also note if they thought it was bogus. (the paint comes right off?). Otherwise sneak over there in the middle of the night and see if you can wipe it off with a cloth.

Answer 5

my neighbour spray painted his fence, and sitting on the other side was my poor car, I almost passed out when i saw my red spotty car, so I got brasso, and a few other cleaners, and managed to get it off, what can you do except, if painting a fence, ,especially with a strong spray gun, is ask the neighbours to move their car, or move your car if the neighbour looks busy, and you are about to go on the tube.

Answer 6

If he spray painted his fence, then it is almost certainly with a water-based protectant, which will come off of your car after a few washes. However, in the meantime, pursue it as per your first answerer.

Answer 7

If she has a history of false claims let her take you to court. In court state that you think she did it herself and have the neighbors testify if it comes to that.

Don't pay her anything. Because 4 little dots of paint comes of easily with soap & water.

Answer 8

Deny the claim of your neighbor. Let him file the case and if it is proven that you are responsible for the paint, it is the time that you pay.

Answer 9

do nothing ...if they give you a bill don't pay it...if they want to take civil action against you ...let them have the expence...or get some T Cut and remove the paint when they are not around.

Answer 10

Ok. If it was your car and her paint???

Two sides to every story, can we believe what you are saying to be the truth?