Garage dispute?

So the lesson(s) are not to rely on verbal agreements, not to invest money on structures on other people’s property. no explanation why John believed he could continue for ever to benefit from use of the garage which he paid to be constructed on someone’s else’s land unless there is a written contract.

Reply to the comment left by Tom Thumb at 15/11/2023 - 10:44
Sorry Tom Thumb when I first approached John he told me the garage cost him £3500 half being £1750 and if I wanted I could give him the £1750 a hour later he came to my door wafting a piece of paper but never actually showed me what it said then told me the garage was actually £1750 new I can pay him half the amount so obviously the first time around at half of £3500 he was trying to recover the full amount and no i wasn’t aware of the condition of any other garage i simply purchased a property with an additional garage I have all the relevant paperwork and yes it’s in red on the title ect ect as I’ve said multiple times to John his argument should be with the previous owner as the litigation solicitor as and haart who also said they was totally unaware of a neighbour purchased the garage and I have all this in writing and have offers John to read or pass on to his legal representation but he’s just been dismissive and continued to target me many thanks danny

Reply to the comment left by Kizzie at 15/11/2023 - 12:16
No written contract hence the reason where in this situation so who’s at fault ? Certainly not me because when John and previous owner did whatever deal and I quote John (he promised me he’d had it drawn up in writing) clearly it wasn’t and has I said in my first comment he’s had the best part of 9 months to make sure it was or remove the garage? Why wait until I approached him ? There’s a lot of things/questions that doesn’t make any sense to me I just think it’s a case of John knows it’s not been done in the correct manner and the previous owner is now 200 or so miles away so I’m simply the easiest target for him to bully in to getting money out of for something I have already paid for

Danny
If you feel you are being bullied then perhaps a solicitor sending a cease and desist letter would yield a written agreement from John or get him to stop. Then a kind offer of £1000 in full and final settlement. Place these documents with your title deeds in case you sell on and it’s resurrected.

Reply to the comment left by Danny Clarke at 15/11/2023 - 12:31
No apology needed, Danny, and what you say agrees with what I assume the situation to be.

I don't quite follow what the cost of 'John's' garage was. You say, "I first approached John he told me the garage cost him £3500 half being £1750 and if I wanted I could give him the £1750. An hour later he came to my door wafting a piece of paper but never actually showed me what it said then told me the garage was actually £1750 new I can pay him half the amount so obviously the first time around at half of £3500 he was trying to recover the full amount".
£1750 seems very cheap for a whole garage, so I'm guessing that £3.5k is more like it? But surely it's very easy to check what this type of garage actually cost - a quick internet search should sort this?

I agree - I don't think John has any legal case whatsoever. If he DID - if he had EVIDENCE of either a verbal or written agreement showing that it would continue after sale, or that he retained ownership of the physical garage - ie it was effectively 'loaned' on a temporary basis to the old neighbour - then he should, surely would, have produced it by now.

Sorry, John - this has gone on for NINE MONTHS?! You are keeping YOUR car in Danny's garage without his permission? For nine months?! What the heck!

Do the right thing, and get the damned thing out NOW. And if you wish to politely show Danny the receipt for the garage, showing its true value, and respectfully ask if he'd be 'happy' to pay, say, a third of its value, then that's up to you. And up to him to accept.

Any offer from Danny should be received gratefully, and with a firm handshake.

John, I think it's pretty clear you do NOT have any evidence to suggest that you still own or have any entitlement to this garage. Danny obtained full title to everything described in his deeds and sales particulars. Any legal attempt from you to try and demonstrate otherwise will, I am pretty sure, end up costing you a lot more than the garage ever did.

Reply to the comment left by Tom Thumb at 16/11/2023 - 02:03
After doing some research a garage of that size brand new are between £1500 and £1600 brand new delivered and erected

Had I purchased the house with the garage I would ignore all attempts to make me pay for it. The problem is between the seller and John. Going to solicitors and litigation will just cost money and as it is would end up in the small claims court (its less than £5000) where you cannot reclaim any legal expenses, you need to know when to draw a line under a problem. I hasve had many disputes in my time and have looked at them rationally and in a cost effective way, many I have just written off (and claimed the tax relief)

Reply to the comment left by Danny Clarke at 16/11/2023 - 07:15Blimey, that's cheap!
It's entirely up to you, Danny, whether to offer anything - I do not believe there should be any expectation that you should, as this situation is not of your doing.
If, however, you consider the garage to be a useful feature, then an offer of a few hundred would be very thoughtful of you.
Purely 'without prejudice', and a kind gesture in order to bring this sad affair to a satisfactory conclusion.

Should John turn down this conciliatory offer, then - in your shoes - I would first ensure the garage had locks fitted for which only I would have the key, and I would present John with a final letter; any attempt to cause damage to the garage will result in the local police being called, and he has 2 weeks (give an end date) to remove his car or else you'll call a local scrap dealer to take it away. Make certain you have the letter handover witnessed or recorded.