Contractor using our land to dump refuse from other jobs.

[Jothetaxi]

We are renovating our home and the work is coming to the final stages; the RIBA contract should complete this week. We are renting nearby and are not living at the site.

 

The contractors have been working since January.  The main construction is done and plastering and internal finishes taking place.

Recently they have not been at the site and it is locked up most days, other than our own trades going in.

 

It has come to our attention today that the builder is using our front driveway to dump building materials, rubble and debris from other jobs they are working on.  The house also has some rooms full of left over boarding and building materials.

 

We have asked them to clear this today but would like to know what other options we have here to ensure this is removed quickly.

The driveway looks like a scrapyard filled with rubbish. It is also causing further damage to the land: at some point we will be resurfacing the driveway but we do not have the budget to do this immediatel>We are so angry about this.

 

 

[markc]

You could start by asking where all the rubbish has come from? They may say other jobs and we are lumping together to then get one grab wagon etc. (more efficient than lots of small skips). If so then you should have been consulted and you will expect a discount and/or the area made good at their cost.

[Kelvin]

As above possibly intending to collect it all in one go. If so out of order not asking you although they likely assumed you’d say no. Do you owe them any money? 
 

A roofer swept the back of his van out onto my parking area. He hadn’t spotted the camera. He was due back a few months later to finish off so I collected it in a bag and kept it and emptied into his passenger footwell after he had finished. He was about to explode but recognised some of the rubbish as his so said nothing. The thing is had he asked for a site bag I’d have given him one and even took it to the dump since I went once a week anyway. 

[Big Jimbo]

You should have tipped it into his air vent @Kelvin. Nice one fella.

[Jothetaxi]

Thanks. We witnessed them dumping it as we were walking by. No money owed to them and always paid on time. 
We have asked them to move it and clear it. 
 

Such an amount of rubbish/rubble, so if they haven’t cleared it by Monday we will report to the council as fly tipping and let them deal with it. 

[Roger440]

15 hours ago, Jothetaxi said:

Thanks. We witnessed them dumping it as we were walking by. No money owed to them and always paid on time. 
We have asked them to move it and clear it. 
 

Such an amount of rubbish/rubble, so if they haven’t cleared it by Monday we will report to the council as fly tipping and let them deal with it. 

 

If its on your drive, the council wont want to know. Your land, your problem.

[JohnMo]

Tell him he has 24 hrs to remove or you will report him for fly tipping.

[Nickfromwales]

It could only be reported to the police as criminal damage. 
 

Council won’t do anything as it’s on private land, unless it’s hazardous. If it’s inert you’re on your own. 
 

How are they still there if you owe them no money??

[Jothetaxi]

Thanks for replies.  Builders says he will remove it next week. If he doesn't we will take it up with the council or seek legal advice.

 

It could be hazardous materials from other jobs - we just don't know, as there is so much piled up.

[Kelvin]

And if next week comes and goes then what?

 

I’d call council now. It’s likely they won’t be interested but calling them now will rule that course of action in or out. Legal action is long drawn out and dear. Your plan B should be you arrange for it to be collected and dumped on his drive or yard if he has one and send him the bill. Tell him that’s your plan if it isn’t removed. 

[saveasteading]

50 minutes ago, Jothetaxi said:

Builders says he will remove it next week. 

So you must assume this will happen but have plan B ready.

 

Have you this agreement in writing? If not then email a friendly thank you confirming the date and asking him to make sure the area is completely cleared and safe/clean/ made good as appropriate.

 

If he doesn't perform, then you have to give him say 5 days say notice after which you will....  let's wait and see.

[Andehh]

This all sounds like a storm in a teacup, it's not ideal.. But pissing your builder off in the final stretch is even worse

 

Let him do more work, wait for next payment to be requested... Then link payment to site tidy up. Going to council or the police is a one way street to a loooot more stress.