Worried About My New Car

[Treacle71]

I’ve had my new car for 7 weeks.  I have it parked on my driveway when not in use.  As we live in a terraced property, our leasehold neighbours are having exterior wall insulation.  They said the works were going to go ahead sometime in the future and they promised they’d let us know when the works would start (they said probably August), but August came and went and they never got back so we thought they’d put the works off.  We told them we needed a newer car and would happily wait until their works were done as we didn’t want a new car to get damaged/dusty/dirty. 

Friday night just gone, they told us they’re now having the works done and ‘eventually have a date to start’.   Scaffolding was put up today and is over our entrance door.  What I’m more worried about is my new car being damaged.  I don’t want to park it on the road for obvious reasons, but I’m worried now it’s going to get wrecked.  What are my rights in this?  The scaffolding guys seem OK (who've gone now), but one of them was swinging one of the poles around.  Our neighbours didn’t keep us informed either about a start date?  And now the drilling has started.

I just wondered if anyone has any input please,particularly my car?

TIA.

[DDIL]

I don't think you can tell your neighbours to cease work just because you have a new car that may get dirty!

If it gets damaged (and you can prove) who damaged it then you can take it further.

They notified you that they were having work done, do you own their leasehold, if not I don't see the difference that makes?

[Treacle71]

Hi DDIL.  Yes, my mother owns the land.  Of course they have every right to maintain their property, but I'm worried about the car and they didn't get back to us with a start date, as promised.

[davebro3]

If you are worried park it somewhere else or cover it up.

[barry1010]

Buy a car tarp / coverif you want to keep your car clean. £30 or less. Useful in winter, too

[DDIL]

They probably assumed as they told you that work was going to happen that they didn't have to tell you exactly when. 

You would probably be miffed if they didn't maintain their property

[naomi24]

If they'd told you when the work was beginning, what would you have done?

[Treacle71]

I'd have wanted until the works were done and then bought the car, Naomi. It's just they promised they'd keep us informed but they didn't.

[barry1010]

Not your neighbours' fault that you assumed the work wasn't going ahead. You could have asked before you decided to buy the car

[naomi24]

When August came and went you could have asked them again before buying the car but I honestly think you're worrying unnecessarily. 

[Canary42]

A minor misunderstanding or oversight on their part, but now you know the start date surely all you need to do is go ahead with whatever precautions/action you had intended when you learnt the date.

Your rights I would think consist of access to your property, and remedy for any damage done.

[youngmafbog]

Guys next door put some scaffold up on our side to get a chiney down (before it fell).  We have a Jag and a BMW and I let the park theior truck on our front.  Not a mark, these guys do it day in day out and do know what they are doing.

If its dust them just cover it or park elsewhere during the day.

[Barmaid]

If it gets dusty during the day just hose it down in the evening (do not use anything to wipe it because that WILL scratch the paint).

[nicebloke1]

A new car, well con grats and enjoy. But a new car can make you paranoid. Just park on the road while the work is completed its not going to last for months on end is it. You have more chance of the car being damaged with normal day to day use and parking in car parks.

[Canary42]

Many years ago (before I retired) I suffered an example of builder "damage" to my car.  My employer had a flat roof re-covered and as a result dirt covered all the cars in the employee's car park (about 20 affected). The Employer paid for all the cars to go through a car wash. Local car wash did very good business that day.

[nicebloke1]

Dust really can't be classed as damage.

[Canary42]

Which is why it's in quotes, nit-picker.

[nicebloke1]

My AB name is nicebloke1.

[Treacle71]

Thank you guys so far, much appreciated. I did ask our neighbours if they thought we should move our car, but he said he didn't think so - so there it's stayed. I've just come in from work and a pole propping up the scaffolding is about 1m away from the car, plus the car has browny dust on it already (it's brilliant white in colour btw). Shall I just let it go or what should I do?

[douglas9401]

I'm sure there will be somewhere you can report this kind of thing to.

Don't give up.