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Well my husband went to see the owners of the house next to our friends on Monday morning, who are also a post office. They were busy and he was asked to come back at 5.30pm. He did and was met by a very aggressive and unhelpful post mistress who couldn't care less about any damage caused.

It apparently was her father that sprayed the tent by accident. Apparently she has contacted Cuprinol and they had said that the preserver will wash off with warm soapy water. She was not prepared to enter into any other discussions about what to do. Apparently its our fault we shouldn't have pitched our tent there(in our friends garden!). She told him that he can take her to the small claims court if he wants compensation. My husband said that if she could give him her insurance details then he could put in a claim that way. She claims to have no insurance.

No apologies. Nothing. Its her attitude more than anything thats the most annoying. We have just been round our friends to try and clean what we could off the tent but it doesn't come off. As someone said it doesn't really matter what it looks like but its become more of a principle now

We have taken pictures of the damage done. I think our plan is now to go and see her tomorrow, ask for the name of the product used so we can contact the manufacturers ourselves. I am worried that the tent will not be as waterproof in the areas of damage as it was before. We shall also contact the CAB regarding the small claims court.

Thanks for listening

Don't some people have a nerve!!!

if this was done by teenagers with spray paint it would be seen as vandalism / criminal damage, but as it was some old git with fence paint, they think it's okay, and blame you for having the tent there in the first place.

Maybe go round with a paint can and see how they react if you ask them if they mind you spraying their property.

wow

your lucky it was just a tent sprayed by them and not a small child or pet

Thank you all for your replies.

We have been trying to phone the CAB during their telephone advice times but have had no answer. Its not practical to physically get there. So thats annoying.

Thank you for the link to the site re small claims court, I will look through that later.

I conntacted Wynnster re the possible effect on the tent but they had no idea themselves. My husband hasn't been back to see the lady yet so no real further forward.

Thanks again

Hi

Only thing with CCJ are that the court takes into consideration the debtors ability to pay.  If the judge decides that all they can afford is £1 per month then so be it.  As long as they pay that £1 per month then no further enforcement can be taken.

P.S. Pity the poor C.A.B.s, most of us are staffed mainly by volunteers and I'm pretty sure that if you have time and fancy and professional and challenging pastime then being an adviser may be for you.