New update on my reclusive neighbours.....

Oh good, worth the fudge around then!

One hedgehog rescued by workmen and safe in my greenhouse!
Haven't had a close look yet but it's eating.

Well, it was actually rather worse than this looks...

Managed to contact some one to help me look in the garden there, but we couldn't find hedgehogs. Took an hour poking around, and what I can do tomorrow - when I'm told they are coming - is tell them some places to be careful....hopefully....where hedgehogs might be.

Think I have done my knee in again!

Trying to insert a picture....

Yes my house. and the other was theirs, which was a big part of the problem. Note - I am on a pretty low budget, hence the DIY inspection. I know a good bit about house construction.

I might want a survey, is it your own house?

Not going in any more thanks.

Actually a builder couldn't see any more from the outside. I knew their tiles were sagging but not mine.
I am glad to have been told that there will be scaffolding up soon and the roof will be done first! (standard procedure - no point in doing up the inside until you keep the rain out.) I have been worried as there is obviously rot inside their roof...which is my roof too.

No-one could tell any more unless looking inside the roof space. I shall try and beg a look myself, or get them to take a photo? I have done this before once...don't wish to pay out unnecessarily!

If there's been no knock-on effect on your house, Alie, you've been lucky though it may not feel that way. When they come to do the renovations perhaps they would have a look at your roof and make sure that it's secure.

Do you think you should have an inependent builder come and look at yours?

Alie - don't go in there anymore if bits are falling in!

Is your own house quite safe? Does the sagging roof extend to yours?
What a further anxious time you have. X

Not happening until Monday.

I have just seen inside the house. You know the programmes you see about houses being cleared - it's worse than any of those ! They are not doing the garden today I am told but starting on clearing inside. I went upstairs to check the roof because it is sagging at the back, and the ceiling has fallen in in the main bedroom. OMG.

Yes, I think I will go and have a good search around. The man I spoke to said he would bring me in on Saturday but I would rather have more time than that implies!

I'm also hoping that they will not take way the hedge between us too soon - it's not my boundary.....

Great news that the house will be 'done up' - even if it does mean noise and nuisance in the short term. Hopefully you'll end up with nice, normal neighbours.

If it's any help, it's doubtful there'll be any newts in the pond at this time of year. Like frogs and toads they generally find some damp stone or similar place to hide up often some distance away. It may be worth having a fudge around in their garden if you have access?

Good luck with the newts and hedgehogs, Alie. Let's hope the new neighbours are civilised and agreeable, and the complete opposite of the previous nutters.

Sorry for my comment, I only saw first page of the post, didn't realise so much has happened since. Life never stops testing us, does it - it' so good to have gransnet friends for support.

In our area the fire brigade came, unasked, to do a fire and safety check and installed smoke alarms for free. I wonder if yours also take preventative action? Another possible avenue might be your local councillor, mine is very helpful. From what I've seen on tv (in those programmes about hoarders for example) there doesn't seem to be a lot that can be done about people's lifestyles - it is a fine line between human rights and endangering your own and others life. From the outsider perspective, even a small fire is not uncommon, (eg a chip pan fire). This is not to say I don't agree with you, I feel wholeheartedly for your situation, but it will be an uphill struggle to get anything done. Neighbours can make or break your happiness and sanity, so much more so if you live in a semi or terrace.

All of our newts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, prohibiting trade in any of the three species. Declines have been observed in all three species, probably a result of the loss of many ponds across the UK. Common and palmate newts remain quite common and are not considered under threat at present so are not listed by the IUCN. Great crested newts are categorised as 'lower risk'. In the UK great crested newts are quite rare due to population declines, and they are heavily protected under law, making it illegal to harm or kill them, disturb their habitat at all, or even handle them without a licence. They are a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, aiming to maintain, enhance and restore populations.

Hope you can keep them safe, but that the mess next door can be cleared up too!!

Try speaking to the council about the newts. Some of them are protected.

Hello Alie I think Synonymous has said it all! If you can't escape the noise, try and think positively about it if you can - at least next door is being tidied up at last

Hello Allie [Smile] Just found this thread and read through and wanted to say that I do hope that this year will be a much better one for you in every way.
As for the 'hibernating critters' all you can do really is to tell the contractors if you can when you see them and say that you are happy to take in any that they find - if indeed you are. If you can't manage them there are places which can and they can be found by Googling.
It is going to be a period of great activity for a while so do make sure that you get away from there regularly so that you can have some respite from it all. It will also be interesting to see what they are doing of course. Hope it is all done ad dusted before the summer and you have some really nice new neighbours.

Update again. The Fire Service, by the way, were the only ones to tell me anything about what was happening!

House at No 16, I learned just yesterday, has been sold and is going to be done up. This from the man who came with a machine yesterday morning and cleared the front garden completely of its new brambles.
Well that is something.
So, lots of noise and disturbance ahead.
But the company he told me, 'Pontec Holdings' doesn't seem to exist any more......or the bloke's name in charge.

They are coming back Saturday, he said, and doing the back.
NOW I am worrying about hibernating hedgehogs, who I was feeding until it got cold - and also newts in the pond next door!
Any ideas what I can do before Saturday?

Always ask the Fire Service for advice

Some good news at last for you.

I can imagine how you might see this as something else to worry about though. When you've been through a lot (as you certainly have) you do begin to wonder what else might be lurking around the corner.

It will be so nice for you when they have fixed the house though & one less thing for you to worry about.

[crossed fingers)