When Should I Let Our Leasehold Neighbours Know They've Left Two Gaps In Our Render Separating Our Properties

[Treacle71]

As the installation of exterior wall insulation by our leasehold neighbours nears completion, the scaffolding still remains around both our properties (which a part of came crashing down in our back garden narrowly missing our glass back door and anyone sitting in our garden), but it appears that the builders have packed up their tools and moved on for now. I can’t help but notice two noticeable gaps left in the cement where our properties unite. These gaps, where chunks of cement have been removed, have sparked a dilemma in my mind about how to approach our neighbours about this issue.

I was wondering when the best time would be to bring this to their attention. Should I wait until they’ve officially wrapped up their project and the scaffolding comes down, or is it better to raise it now?  It’s a small concern, but one that I feel is important to communicate for the sake of our shared property line.

TIA.

[naomi24]

The sooner the better.  

[douglas9401]

Is it possible to make a thick paste from the dust settled on your car and just patch it up so there's no need for either party to communicate?

[barry1010]

It matters not a jot that they are leaseholders.  Tell them today, nicely

[DDIL]

Tell then sooner rather than later, as for communicating with your neighbours did you ever answer the door when they were trying to speak to you on sunday.

[barry1010]

Don't take your mother with you this time, there is no need to be confrontational

[DDIL]

But Barry, its her mothers house.

[barry1010]

It is, but both of them don't need to go round to speak to the neighbour. 

[barry1010]

I've been thinking more about this.  Are the gaps on his side, or yours?  Does the new render match your render in colour and texture?

Why was the scaffolding on your property? 

[barry1010]

A photo would be helpful

[DDIL]

Have they finished rendering? Or are you perhaps jumping the gun? If they have not finished then perhaps they are planning on repairing any damage to your property.

[naomi24]

The only way to find out what's going on is to speak to the neighbours.

[Treacle71]

The cement holes that weren't present before have suddenly appeared on our side, Barry. Our pebble dash is Canterbury spar in colour and theirs is dark grey.

I approached our neighbours to discuss the scaffolding that had been set up on top of their conservatory. The noise from the rain was evidently a bother to them, prompting them to relocate it (so I was told). The scaffolding unexpectedly toppled over yesterday, landing in our garden. Her husband reached over the fence to retrieve it.  When it fell down, it narrowly missed crashing into our fully glazed back door, leaving us to reflect on the importance of maintaining safety.  We didn’t hear anything from him after.

[naomi24]

It couldn't have been much scaffolding if the husband was able to retrieve it just by reaching over the fence.  Just go and talk to the neighbours and ask them what's happening.

[Rosetta]

I think scaffolding is hired,supplied and erected and taken down by a separate firm than the actual builders so if any work needs doing its best to get it done now while the scaffolding is still there. So the sooner you speak to your neighbour the better

[barry1010]

So the holes are on your property and are your responsibility to repair, unless you can prove it was damaged by your neighbours' builders. 

You would have to prove your render was in good repair before they started the work.  Render does 'blow' and fall off.

So the scaffolding wasn't erected on your property?

[Treacle71]

Only to the front (scaffolding), Barry - over our door and steps.  

[barry1010]

How big are the holes?

[Treacle71]

Well, the gaps were certainly not put there by me so they'll have to fix it.

[barry1010]

Can you prove it? Is the rest of your render in perfect condition?

[Treacle71]

Uh huh.