Will the neighbours cause trouble for us?

Question

The neighbour next door (two doors actually) did some maintenance on the house directly next to ours because it is his eldery mom's home.

It involved flattening the roof in the side entry from two angled roofs to one, secure flat roof.

He now wants paying - £600 - although at the time I said my wife was not working so I would'nt have the money to hand. He got a quote of £3k originally which I said was too high, so his new quote is £1200 - so £600 each.

I would like to pay in installments but just wonder if that will be acceptable.

He wanted to get the work done for his mother anyway I think so would have gone ahead without my approval, because the neighbours do seem like that in my road. We never bother
anyone, but they do seem to bother us.

From a legal stand point I have'nt signed anything, but do want to honour our verbal agreement.

I just don't want any trouble. I mean I can protect myself if he got nasty but you know what I mean.

Please read the question guys !! He did some work which meant the roof on the side entry was completely redone. They were adjoining, but not very secure, so he has done the work, which as my wife said, was'nt really needed, I was foolish I guess but did feel a few hundred was okay - £600 is a lot.

Answer 1

I assume this roof connects your houses somehow? If so, I understand that part of the roof and therefore the work involved a portion of your property. If he was going to do it for his mother anyway, I see no reason why you should be paying for anything. It appears that this guy just decided to get some work done for his mother who's home is connected to yours and now he wants you to foot half the bill.

IF you weren't going to have the changes made on your own, if it were me, I wouldn't pay him a dime. A verbal agreement is hard to argue in court, although I know they are legally binding (if they can be proven). You sound like you want to hold up your end though which is very honorable of you.

However, you should've had a choice in what was going on from the costs and timing of the work all the way down to the contractor who did the work, not to mention whether the work was done or not in the first place. I understand you want to be "fair," even though you weren't exactly treated fairly. If you wish to pay him something, that's up to you (as is the amount). Pay what you can, or what you feel is fair, and leave it at that. Tell the guy you told him upfront you didn't want the work done and couldn't afford it and you're paying such and such amount and that's it.

The guy sounds pretty presumptuous to just come in and tell you that he's going to make structural changes to YOUR section of the house and oh by the way, "you owe me such and such." And consider this: what if the work was done incorrectly or without a required permit or against "code"? Since it was done on your property as well, you would share in any fines or citations that would be issued.

AND you should tell him point blank, No more changes that involve your property whatsoever without your written consent. And if he does it anyway, call the government or town office that deals with such things (planning and zoning, permits, etc.) and maybe even a lawyer.

If he wants to cause trouble, believe me, he'd find a reason sooner or later, so you'd end up dealing with that anyway. If it weren't over this, I'm sure it will be something else. Sounds like you have a very overbearing neighbor. I hope it gets better for you.

**ADD**
Remember, it was HIS decision to do the work. Basically you were involved simply because your home is connected to his mother's and there was no way to do the work without encroaching on your property. You were not involved in any of the choices made with regard to the work including the costs. You explained upfront that you didn't want it nor could you afford to have it done. You know full well he would've had it done anyway. Whether you pay in installments or not, pay ONLY what you can afford, not what this guy says you must pay. And as to the installments, again, do what you can afford and let him be satisfied that he's getting anything at all. And make sure he understands it won't happen again so he'd better plan his future "renovations" accordingly.

Answer 2

I'm assuming that the "mothers house" is adjoining your house like a "double"... So, you "rent" from the "son". I would think that ANY maintance should be taken from the rent. I mean that's why you pay rent so, you don't have to worry about maintance/repairs.. I think that you would be a "sucker" to pay anything on repairs that were needed on the house.

However, if you made a "verbal" agreement then by all means you should honor it. Maybe you can tack on $100 extra dollars per month for a few months until it is paid off... If he gets nasty, it's his own fault for doing work on the house w/o getting the payment in full... In the future if you are indeed renting you should NOT be responsible for repairs unless you own the property.... Which was NOT stated in the question..

Good luck

Answer 3

If this roof is not your property then you are under no obligation to pay anything at all.
Further, if the property is rented by you and them from a landlord, then the landlord is responsible for the repairs not you or your neighbour.
If he won't agree to payments (if that's the way if that's the way you want to go, then tell him to take you to court. The court will settle payments that you can afford based on your income and outgoing expenses. Finally, insist on seeing the original notes / invoices from the contractor and don't agree with anything until you have seen these okay. He could write something himself and you would be none the wiser.

Answer 4

sounds a bit like he has duped you into subsidising his mother's house repairs. but having said that, the deal having been done, you should pay him the whole amount when you are ready. let him know you do not have the money yet and it could be some time. only if he gets pushy should you suggest instalments. he may go for it, giving you time to pay in an affordable manner and without hassle.

Answer 5

I don't see why he should cause you grief if you offer to pay in instalments unless you led him to believe that you were going to pay your share immediately if he got a lower quote. I hate disabuse anyone but under English law a verbal contract is just as much a contract as if it was written. Of course proving what was said is always difficult but in this case you seem to be accepting that you did agree to the work being done.

Answer 6

I would just be honest with him. Its not the best time of year to ask for £600. As long as you say you intend to pay then I dont see whats wrong with it.
He might be a little peeved with you but you cant pay if you dont ahve the money.
Legally its not worth his while chasing as there is no agreement in writing and you are not refusing to pay

Answer 7

Some people are racist and nothing will change their views. My advice is keep yourselves to yourselves, do not have confrontations with your neighbour. In fact don't speak to them. If he blocks your drive, and you have right of access, phone the Police,they will do something about it. For the record, I am white, English and I am not racist,although I do have some strong views on certain religions..

Answer 8

I assume you mean that his mother's roof and your roof are adjoining and have both been mended? I would speak to you local Citizen's Advice Bureau for free legal advice.

Answer 9

Well, I know that £600 is alot of money.

Where I am confused is just exactly what would you be paying for? His mothers house, his mothers roof. What exactly did you agree to that would cost you anything? This is not your house, not your mother.

Answer 10

Why are you paying to fix HIS mother's house?

If you made a verbal agreement, that is a legal contract. Honor your word.

If he will not take payments, too bad for him.