Neighbours Replaced My Fence Without Permission

[badhorsey]

I came home today to find that my fence has been replaced by the builders doing works on the adjacent property. I didn't give them any authorisation to do so and in fact, they'd asked to do this a year ago and I'd told them no - it's a social housing property and according to the land registry, the fence is on 'my' property.

They've created a huge mess in my garden in doing so - dirt and dust everywhere - and caused damage to the artificial grass that I have put down, and broken the lights in my garden that I had installed.

What's my best course of action?

[pixie374]

Hi, this is not a "legal" answer, but I think you should report it to your landlords asap. They should be able to sort it out.

[woofgang]

So is your house social housing or your neighbour's or both? First thing I would say is take photos of the damage. Loads of photos. Second to approach your neighbour (politely) and their landlord if they have one and your landlord if you have one. After you have all their responses you will be able to decide what to do next. Stay calm. Stay polite.

[waterboatman]

Good advice from both.

[murraymints]

what is done is done..as above..keep calm , take photos and estimate price of making good and repairs... present to neighbour and to their, and your, landlords... remember you have to live with neighbours and any ensuing vendetta will make life awful...

[waterboatman]

More good advice.

[johnk]

Sound advice from all above and don't forget you have a new fence.

[Old_Geezer]

My understanding is that border disputes are costly, stressful, and worth avoiding.
I had something similar happen to me some years back. A neighbour had pulled up my border fir trees and put up a fence that clearly want over where the old border was, not that any evidence of the original border could be seen, stealing a wedge of my side. Ultimately I decided I couldn't face the hassle and left it. Unsure but suspect different folk ar in their now. I was particularly miffed at the new wide shed the present ones put up last year, leaving a path to the side of it which was partially on the area stolen from me.

[Old_Geezer]

...ARE...

[Old_Geezer]

..THERE...

[aelmpvw]

^ now that they've gone to the expense of laying a path on your land seems a good time to see a solicitor ...

[badhorsey]

Thank you all. Yep, sound advice from all over.