To not want to look at a fucking fence all day long!

[SacreLao]

I live in a terraced house (long row of terraces facing another long row of terraces, no road just an alley with parking at the end) owned by the local housing association.

The front gardens are tiny and in quite close proximity to each other, not ideal for privacy but it's just the way it is.

Anyway came home today to find next door neighbour had added a new fence on top of the fence that was already there (was 3 foot and is now 6 foot) all around her garden including the fence that seperates my garden from hers.

She did not mention anything to me about having this done and this is the first I have known about it.

It's a fucking monstrosity!

Not only does it block out all light to my front garden but it looks awful (her side is all lovely and painted the side on mine is a mess with random nails sticking out) It means that my children will no longer be able to play on the front alley as I used to be able to see them at all times from my window whereas now all I can see from my living room window is her fucking fence.

On top of that it's bloody dangerous with all the nails sticking into my side and my children won't even be safe in their own garden.

Can't believe she did this without even saying a word. Neighbours the other side of her are also fuming for the same reasons.

Would IBU to go outside now and pull the thing down??
Would I be allowed to take it down seeing as it is on the boundary line and technically I 'think' that that fence is considered mine??

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

You would BU to pull the fence down now.

Get together with the other neighbours and make your complaint known to the Housing Association later this morning.

[SacreLao]

Will the housing association actually do anything?

What are the laws in terms of fencing height?

[VirgoGrr]

If I recall correctly, front garden fences should be a maximum of 1 metre high without planning consent. Speak to your Housing Association and they should deal with this on your behalf.

[iscream]

I don't know about in the UK, but if it is not on her side of the property line, you could demand it be moved onto her property. Only fences both parties wanted are to be built on a property line, from what I have heard.
It also sounds like probably not up to code being so high on a front yard. She probably does not have permission to erect it. Complain to your housing association people, and encourage the people on the other side to do the same.

[LoveBeingAbleToNamechange]

At the very least they should be able to get her to make it safe for you

[missnevermind]

Front fences are not allowed to be as high as 6 foot because of visability issues. But I do not know who you would take this up with.
Maybe phone planning or the council to see who they suggest speaking too.

[missnevermind]

Sorry missed the housing association bit. Start with them, as many neighbours as you can muster together complaining about the same thing will get the ball rolling.

[onadifferentplanettoday]

With the HA I am with any fences at the front of propperties have to be within strict guidlines and you also need written permission from them. Give them a ring this morning.

[INeedALieIn]

Height rules for front gardens are due to visibility issues when located on a road. This garden doesn't seem to be on a roadside.

I think.


The council will clarify.

[SacreLao]

Garden not on a road no, there is an alley way but does affect our visability and blocks the sun from coming into our garden, not that we ever get any sun anyway lol.

It's an absolute eyesore though!

Have phoned the housing association and they will deal with they said, could not tell me if it will be removed or not and said the law is quite vague, he did say it's good form to ask neighbours however.

There is another 5 houses that have also put a complaint in so hopefully they will take note. Because this lady lives at the end of the terrace right next to the car park it blocks light to the rest of the houses so they are all annoyed.

Also makes it dark to walk down the alley at night as it blocks the light from the street lamp.

[TwoIfBySea]

The HA I was with would have spit the dummy at this. We had to get permission in writing for something like this - we did build a fence which harmed no one.

She is obviously a very ignorant neighbour.

[garlicnutter]

I think you'll win. There are still some laws about blocking neighbours' daylight iirc, plus the nails are a safety hazard and could leave her or the HA open to injury claims. The council wouldn't be too happy about the street lamp being rendered useless, either.

The HA will probably ask her politely to take it down first, so it may take a while. FGS don't rip it down yourselves, though, or you'll be the ones in the wrong!

Meanwhile, stick a picture of a nice view in your window??

[carabos]

We had the same problem - not HA, but in a terrace. We did nothing ourselves but several of the neighbours toddled along to the planning office and within a week the fence was gone....

[VirgoGrr]

It might have been through MN that I remember a case where someone at the end of a cul-de-sac had built a six foot (quite decorative) wall around the front of their property because they had SN child(ren) and wanted to minimise the potential for them running onto the road.

They had trouble with planning dept. because of the height of the wall despite there not being any passing traffic.

The rules may well be on your side with this.