New update on my reclusive neighbours.....

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.....

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

Trying to insert a picture....

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!

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

Oh good, worth the fudge around then!