I can’t sell my home & make hundreds of thousands of pounds after bumbling neighbour RUINED my garden with huge mistake

A GRANDAD claims he would struggle to sell his property because a bumbling neighbour ruined his garden.

Steve Hann, 69, said it’s not safe for his two grandkids to play out the back of his Laddingford, Kent, home after it started to sink into next-door’s pond.

The former cop had no issues with the overgrown water feature for nearly a decade, but in 2022 his neighbour attempted to tackle it.

But whilst he removed the vegetation and drained the water in a helpful bid, Steve’s new patio began to show signs of cracking which spread through the grass and up towards his bungalow.

He told KentOnline: “Over one weekend, my garden began to tilt towards the pond.

“My neighbour immediately admitted responsibility and we began the process of getting his insurer – the NFU – to put matters right.”

But Steve said for the last two years, there has been “delay after delay” with zero work being carried out.

The pond is dug into clay and is approximately 35m long and 14m wide.

Steve added: “Since then, my daughter and her two children, aged six and three, have moved back in with us. We can’t let them play in the garden – it’s too dangerous.”

Mr Hann’s neighbour was contacted, but didn’t wish to comment.

An NFU Mutual spokesman said: “Before undertaking any property repairs, we must agree an approach and scope of works with the property owner.

“With more complex claims, insurers may need to undertake a number of surveys and other measures in order to agree an approach before work on the damage begins.

“We have previously explained to Mr Hann that we are working to progress the complex repairs, but we have apologised for not providing him the consistent level of communication we would expect during this time.”