What is "common courtesy" really between neighbors?

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MisterBigglesworth

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Our future neighbors are building their house next door, still very early stages of building - laying foundations. 3 or 4 weeks ago we started adding a room above our garage. Neighbor visited his site and noticed the addition we are making and I seem to have irritated him(?). He has requested our addition to be reviewed and checked its being followed to plans.

I got an email today from him today, and the interesting part of it is this:

"...can you in future let us know of alterations / additions (as we did with our building plans) on the basis of working together to achieve optimal solutions for both of us and communicating as neighbours"

Granted, his building impacts as due to noise, dust/sand being blown into our house (this is CT after all), having to add a wall between us etc. This is along the lines of common courtesy in my mind.

But, in my view, my addition to the garage does not impact him as it in no way interferes with his building site/property and he is not living next door to us yet. So in light of this, I didn't think I would need to let him know.

Sure, if I was building a new boundary wall my side between us, or planting trees along my boundary wall between us, or having a party in future that might be loud and late...then I would let him know as it impacts him. But in this specific case, I didnt think he needed to be informed. I would not inform him, for example, for things like painting our house or adding sliding doors to our stoep etc, or repaving our driveway as those again would not impact him in any way. I guess there is a bit of a blurred line here, and peoples opinions differ.

Whats your opinion of this and common courtesy? :confused:
 
As long as you are within the building regulations, he cannot really complain. If you go over a building line and you need to get his approval, it is a different story.
 
All within range, was checked today.

Our plans were signed almost a year ago, he wasn't notified purely because I think no one knew about him. Property was still vacant/for sale when our plans got done.
 
I dont see a issue here, unless your new addition might be blocking a view or something that he might have had out of his windows without your new addition. No one wants to starte into a brick face wall from their bedroom window. Other than that I dont see what his problem is. /shrug
 
CrazyFig said:
All within range, was checked today.

Our plans were signed almost a year ago, he wasn't notified purely because I think no one knew about him. Property was still vacant/for sale when our plans got done.
Click to expand...

I'd just tell him that actually, nothing he can do about it now anyway. No need to be nasty and start off on the wrong foot, he's going to be your neighbour for a few years. I'd only become snotty if he starts becoming a constant annoyance once he moves in...
 
Well, when we build our house 8 years ago, only the neighbours who had to approve the area where we crossed the building line had to sign. The rest were not informed. Also, for someone on an open plot its very hard to go and 'knock' on his door and inform him of your changes.
Just inform him your plans were approved by the council.
 
It seems you are going to have a troublesome neighbour no matter what you do. Good luck with that.
 
Our garages run back to back, so its not like his bedroom looking onto our new room on the garage. Added, his house it quite large than ours and so takes up most of his property. Going to the bottom part of our garden I will be looking into his house essentially...not great, but I didnt moan about it. What was I to say, your house is bigger and further forward than mine, please bring it back? His plans were already approved when he showed us and same with me...mine approved long before I even knew of this guy.

I dunno...I just thought it was odd and thought maybe I should have asked for his input on my plans? If this is the case, I really cant understand why I should have like he said in my OP.

Will play nice...last thing I need is a crappy neighbor... :wtf:
 
You don't have to tell him squat as long as you don't cross the building line...

I informed my neighbour that I was about to start building, but that was after the plans had been approved and I had appointed a contractor and everything. It is common courtesy to inform them, but if they think they have any say, then well that is where common courtesy ends.

And communicating as neighbours? I am on decent enough terms with my neighbour, as in we say hi to each other and whatever, but beyond that there is no communication.
 
Just tell him that it is what it is.

/Your house must go
 
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He sounds like a neighbour that will be a nuisance.. so good luck!

What i believe is - let the neighbour know if you are going to make an obscene amount of noise or if there will be a lot of dust. I would of course only do this if I liked my neighbour or if i was indifferent. If i didn't like him - then to be honest, I wouldn't go to the effort... as if you stick to the laws etc, it doesnt matter?
 
Ok...thought I missed something but it seems from the replies I am of the same opinion as everyone mostly.

Added, just been told by the person that came to inspect our building (at the neighbors request) the neighbor has asked for a full report to be sent to him, along with the building plans of our garage addition.

Smoke and mirrors...but I will still play nice. Last thing I need is this all blowing up in my face - enhance your calm. Woo sah! :o
 
CrazyFig said:
Ok...thought I missed something but it seems from the replies I am of the same opinion as everyone mostly.

Added, just been told by the person that came to inspect our building (at the neighbors request) the neighbor has asked for a full report to be sent to him, along with the building plans of our garage addition.

Smoke and mirrors...but I will still play nice. Last thing I need is this all blowing up in my face - enhance your calm. Woo sah! :o
Click to expand...

Ke?

Request the same then of the neighbours property then.

That is complete bollocks and I wouldn't play nice, he is being "nice" whilst still being a dick.
 
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