Awkward neighbour

[furrybean]

I've got an old bloke who rents next door and has done for years before I bought my house. My house is an end terrace with access either end and wide enough to leave your car. I used to get on with the old neighbour just mutual whingin' about some ballacks until he goes and bricks up a shared surface drain running behind the houses so he can put his plant pots on the bricks. I asked him to move the bricks but he went mad calling me a control freak and its nothing to do with me ha ha, well the bad rain the other month meant my cellar almost flooded because of these bricks so I got my SDS drill and promptly removed them.

I hadnt seen him since but last weekend I had some time so I cleaned up behind the house and swept up the bits of brick and removed the rough bits of mortar. He must have taken offence to this as he had some bedding plants up the gable of my house where the drive drops down from the main road, he likes to garden so he uses my side too which was fine with me. I saw him doing this and shouted jolliley "hiya, ya'll right?". No response and I was in a rush so I left it too him and my housemate and girlfriend were about so I guess he felt too outnumbered to voice his concern.

Later that day he had moved his car to block my access across the back of the houses and started setting too at me, complaining about my parking and getting hesterical. It was another one of his bug bears that I didnt leave my car right in the corner of my plot so he can swing straight in with his mondeo estate. If I am in a rush or need to get into my boot I reverse into the corner and not have it right up, and leave a 2 or 3' gap, bugger all really. Technically all I have to do is leave access and if I wanted to be childish I could leave my car on the edge next to his house if you know what I mean and then he wouldnt have any room to park except on the road.

That was Tuesday and still havent seen his car being moved. All the other neighbours have to reverse from their end in and I reverse in from my end because of him. I've tried knocking on his door to sort it out reasonably but he isnt answering, he has a strange body clock and sleeps all day but I try at approx 7pm! Shall I start getting petty and take down the washing line on my house that he uses and park my car next to his side or just leave it and try and reverse down the drive?

Sorry its a bit of a rant but its pishin me off now after 4 days and would like someone elses perspective with it!

[tigersaw]

You could always have a word with his landlord, remark that his actions re the drain were compromising the building. However, thats not going to build any bridges between you and him.
Neighbours and territory can get blown out of proportion so easily - I live at the end of a culdesac, I have parking for 3 cars but only have one. The rest of the neighbours use my drive as a turnaround instead of reversing out - irritates the hell out of me, and I find myself parking my car badly or leaving the wheely bin out to thwart them, however the sensible side of me knows they are doing no harm and I want to stay on their good side, I might need them one day.

[furrybean]

Hmmm, but what to do if he isnt going to move his car and block me in. I do need to talk to him but if he aint opening his door to me what to do.

I think I need to be clear that I dont want to fall out with him but his behaviour isnt on, maybe letting him do what he likes has back fired somewhat!

[tigersaw]

Call the police, tell them you are worried about him, he hasn't answered his door or been seen for days.....

[furrybean]

I kinda was worried the first day as he has had a stroke some months back and him going of his melon wasnt too good for him but his lights are on when I go to work and off in the early evening

[Samnooshka]

Want to borrow Lupo??

Only kidding. Its a nightmare when Neighbours fall out :( maybe this is one of those cases where you've given him an inch and he's taken a mile?? I can't really advise what to do as i am increadibly territorial, and if it wasn't for James i would be in fights with half our street.

I'd end up blocking the idiot in and not letting him use anything he used to of mine in that situation. I'd say he's got a screw loose. Covering a shared drain is wrong on his part and you had every right to uncover it as far as i'd be concerned in that situation. Tough titty if he wants somewhere to put his plant pots!!

Not really any advice... just ranting with you ;) Good luck getting it sorted. Let us know how you get on!

[furrybean]

Thats more my thinking at the moment, but he'll probably run into my car or something daft. What to do!!!

[fizzwheel]

Maybe write a polite note saying you'd lilke to speak to him about whats gone on between you, with a view to clearing the air, and pop it through his letterbox.

[Wideboy]

Maybe write a polite note saying you'd lilke to speak to him about whats gone on between you, with a view to clearing the air, and pop it through his letterbox covered in dog do.

yeah nice idea fizzy.

nah only joking sort it out the civilized way, i have no other advice:D

[Alpinestarhero]

Maybe write a polite note saying you'd lilke to speak to him about whats gone on between you, with a view to clearing the air, and pop it through his letterbox.

Probably the best thing to do, i was going to say the same thing

Matt

[Spiderman]

What Fizz said really. Try taking him somewhere like a coffe shop or pub and away from the territory on dispute too as peeps seem more reasonable when they are on neutral turf and have strangers around them...and cant just rant at you and slope off into their house to end the talk.

Or get some dog poo, put it in a paper bag, leave it on his doorstep, cover in lighter fluid, set light and ring the bell.

Retreat to a safe distance and watch the fun...or his house burn down ccos he's not answering his door to you, lol!

[thedonal]

You could murder him horribly.

Though I think there are flaws in that plan somewhere.

[Razor]

Good fences, make good neighbours. We've got some of the worst, but our new 6 foot high fence at the back makes them a little more tolerable.