Advice please....

[treker_ed]

Our current neighbours have decided (after a very brief stay...) to move out and let their property. Not a problem. The problem stems from the fact that the letting agency have stuck the letting sign on our fence that runs between the two properties..... It now appears that we are the ones moving and not our neighbours!!!!! We have contacted the letting company twice to request that the sign be moved, and it still has not after 72 hours. What is the general consensus as to our rights in getting it removed off our fence? I firmly believe that I would have the right to take it down myself, as it has been attached without permission to our property and has not been moved despite several requests to do so.

[Mike]

If it's actually on your property, you should have the right to remove it, but make sure you don't damage the sign, and leave it on the property of the place that's for sale.  Damages might result in a claim against you, but letting/selling agents are notorious for not giving a stuff about their signs once they've been planted.  I had to take my own sign down when I moved here, as the agent just wouldn't come for it.

[treker_ed]

2 hours ago, Mike said:

If it's actually on your property, you should have the right to remove it, but make sure you don't damage the sign, and leave it on the property of the place that's for sale.  Damages might result in a claim against you, but letting/selling agents are notorious for not giving a stuff about their signs once they've been planted.  I had to take my own sign down when I moved here, as the agent just wouldn't come for it.

Thanks Mike. Seems strange them moving out; they've been here probably less than 2 years, and they spent a fortune on ripping out the kitchen and redoing it.... They also ripped out the garden sheds, and put up a new one, and then started on the garden (which they've not finished and left a lot of rubbish in!) Must admit though, they've not been the friendliest of neighbours. Within about 5 or 6 months of moving in, they took down the old 3 ft fence, and put up a new 6 ft fence.....

[bootneck]

Hi Ed,

private people are not necesserilly unfriendly.  When I bought my house, I had the old 3ft fences removed and put new 6ft fences up on all sides of the garden.  That was just because my wife and I enjoy to sit out there in quiet relaxation.  We are very friendly with our neighbours, we just don't want to share their lifestyles.

Cheers,
Mike

[bentwaters81tfw]

When I have bought properties, the first thing to come down after I have the keys is the agents board. Never had a peep from the agents for doing it. In fact my first house, the board went in the van I hired, and I dumped it behind the agents shop same day and told them it was there. Locally there is a company that does all the boards for the agents. They don't pay me commission  for the advertising space so I don't indulge them.

[treker_ed]

2 minutes ago, bootneck said:

Hi Ed,

private people are not necesserilly unfriendly.  When I bought my house, I had the old 3ft fences removed and put new 6ft fences up on all sides of the garden.  That was just because my wife and I enjoy to sit out there in quiet relaxation.  We are very friendly with our neighbours, we just don't want to share their lifestyles.

Cheers,
Mike

The reason for the comment about not being friendly is more than just the fence. Whilst I am not the most chatty of people, I hate small talk (part of being autistic) they have barely spoken a word to us since they moved in, and I will say hello when I see them. We had some work done, and out of politeness we popped round to apologise for any disturbance we may cause... They were very off hand with us. When they had the kitchen done, they did not return the courtesy, and we had 4 weeks of early morning drills, saws, and loud music from the contractors. Being autistic, sudden and loud noises can cause issues and is not good for m mental health unless I have had time to mentally prepare, I was extremely stressed out over the weeks the work was going on!

[treker_ed]

2 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

When I have bought properties, the first thing to come down after I have the keys is the agents board. Never had a peep from the agents for doing it. In fact my first house, the board went in the van I hired, and I dumped it behind the agents shop same day and told them it was there. Locally there is a company that does all the boards for the agents. They don't pay me commission  for the advertising space so I don't indulge them.

@bentwaters81tfw they have not moved out yet nor has the new tenants moved in. This is not a case of chasing to have it removed on this basis. It's screwed into OUR fence and due to its location is making it look like it is OUR house that is to let, we've actually had guests ask us when we were moving!!!!! The letting agent needs to move it off the fence that we own. 

[bentwaters81tfw]

Yep, so unscrew it and give it to your neighbours. It's on your turf and shouldn't be. Let them sort it out.

[Keeff]

Take the sign down .... it's on your property after all.  I'd check the fence for any damage too ...

You'll probably find that it's a company that put the signs up for agents have done it and not the actual agent. 

 

Keith 😁 

[treker_ed]

33 minutes ago, Keeff said:

You'll probably find that it's a company that put the signs up for agents have done it and not the actual agent. 

 

 

Yep, fully aware that it was an external company that put the sign up, sadly didn't catch him in time to stop him... so far, calls to the estate agents have not resulted in them having their "sign-putter-uppers" come back and move it to a more appropriate location on the neighbours garden/property.

 

I should add that the fence in question is in the middle of the two properties (we are a semi-detached house) but, the fence was put up, and paid for by us, and is more one our side of the boundary line. But because of the where they have put it, it makes it appear that it is our house that is up for rental and not their house. This is why we want the sign moved.

[Black Knight]

Caveat, N.I. law can be different, 

You must allow a 'reasonable' * length of time after notifying the owners in writing

Then it can be removed by you at their cost and moved to a safe place

In no circumstances must you dispose of it nor bring it to harm whilst removing it

Should it come to harm after you have place it in a safe place that is not your responsibility

 

* 'reasonable' length of time is subjective but can mean a week, no less but more

[treker_ed]

19 minutes ago, Black Knight said:

Caveat, N.I. law can be different, 

You must allow a 'reasonable' * length of time after notifying the owners in writing

Then it can be removed by you at their cost and moved to a safe place

In no circumstances must you dispose of it nor bring it to harm whilst removing it

Should it come to harm after you have place it in a safe place that is not your responsibility

 

* 'reasonable' length of time is subjective but can mean a week, no less but more

Not located in Northern Ireland, so this does not have any relevance in this specific matter. I'm located in the east of England.

[Black Knight]

But the law may be same or similar

[treker_ed]

Final word on this... Actually called into the agents office this morning to try and sort this out. Turns out the sign has been put on the wrong property... Just not on the wrong house, but on the wrong street as well.... They have promised to remove it by the end of the day. I spoke to one of the directors of the company to get that promise!