Best time to knock on neighbours door??

[Homers Double]

Ok serious answer.

There's a wall at the end of our garden separating us from the next garden back. It was falling down. I had no idea who was responsible for it so I decided to get it fixed as part of some other work I was having done. But I needed to tell them what I was doing.

So I wrote a letter with all the details, in case there was no one in. Went round and knocked on the door at about 7pm one weekday IIRC There was someone in. Had a chat and handed them the letter.

That's the basis of a Party Wall notice. There is a framework of how you should set it out but what you did is the basics of it really.

 

[Dogtrousers]

That's the basis of a Party Wall notice. There is a framework of how you should set it out but what you did is the basics of it really.

Yes, I don't think either of us cared enough about the short stretch of crumblingng wall to go that far. It didn't cost me much to get it patched up. I just wanted them to be aware that workmen would be on their property in the junk-and-brambles area behind their shed.

If they had been uptight about it and wanted to go full legal I'd probably have just let it carry on disintegrating as it had been for many years. But I had a brickie doing some other work so seemed an ideal opportunity.

 

[T4tomo]

Their house is behind ours. We only see them in winter when they leave the lights on and curtains open!

Incidentally, Court of CycleChat, why aren't THEY to blame for the lack of niceties , eh? Eh?!

I can see why you probably wont have spoken in 3 years with that back to back set up. Its sometimes hard to tell even which house it is, once you go round onto "their" street.

I might cheekily suggest if your real life persona is anything like your forum one, not meeting has probably preserved the relationship over the 3 years

 

[Beebo]

I think I’ve found the problem.

https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/01/neighbours-wont-stop-complaining-200-000-basement-extension-28593293/

 

[matticus]

I might cheekily suggest if your real life persona is anything like your forum one, not meeting has probably preserved the relationship over the 3 years

Don't worry - I plan to let the missus do all the talking.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Take it easy is my advice. First, just let them know what the issue is. If this is not possible in a casual 'Hello, by the way…' then just give them a simple note with copies of any relevant documents such as deeds attached. End the message with an invitation for a coffee and suggest some good times for you. If they are reasonable, they will make contact and all will be agreed. If they are unreasonable, point out what you intend to do, give them plenty of time and proceed as planned. In case of flaming dispute, get a solicitor to send them a letter explaining what you are doing and that it is legal. Good luck.

 

[Ian H]

We talk to at least six of our various neighbours. It was eight, but one died and the other might have (house for sale, backs on to us, substantial fence erected by us divides them from us).

 

[Rusty Nails]

We're on talking terms with a dozen of our neighbours in our street and smiling/hello terms with the rest, but have never spoken to and I wouldn't know them if I saw them, the people behind us as we have a 6' fence and a 15' mixed hedge between our gardens but on their side.

How and when you should talk to them about this issue probably depends on the issue and whether it might be seen as adversely affecting them or their boundary.