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AIBU?

neighbour query... wwyd?

87 replies

hopeforthebestplanfortheworst · 19/04/2015 14:17

My new (ish) neighbour has painted her side of the boundary panels between us, which I own, without asking or checking.

Should I say something in a friendly way to mention she should've checked as it's mine, or leave it? It can't be undone so it's more about getting her to remember to consider my property in future.

I don't want to fall out but nor do I want her to do anything irreversible which could be more serious or annoying in the future. I would never dream of doing such a thing without asking & think its a bit rude!?

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 19/04/2015 14:19

Does it bother you that it is painted? Surely it doesn't really matter and is a sign that she is hopefully a neighbor that will look after her property.

My neighbors have painted their side of the fence that is technically ours. It doesn't make any difference to me or bother me.

Fanfeckintastic · 19/04/2015 14:28

Oh I definitely wouldn't say anything. I'd have thought nothing of painting it if I was her, just wouldn't occur to me who technically owned it, it was her own side wasn't it?

avocadotoast · 19/04/2015 14:30

Does she know it belongs to you? If she rents she probably doesn't.

Silvercatowner · 19/04/2015 14:33

I'm not sure how this impacts you in the slightest?

SisterMoonshine · 19/04/2015 14:33

What more serious thing could she do?
Like grow plants up it or something?

AgentProvocateur · 19/04/2015 14:38

Ha ha ha - is this a reverse thread? If not, YABTU!

Booboostoo · 19/04/2015 14:39

Pick up the fence panels, turn them around and replace them with the nicely maintained side facing your garden.

TywysogesGymraeg · 19/04/2015 14:39

By painting it, she is protecting it. She has done you a favour. It will last longer.
Did you expect her to live with a tatty or unpainted fence on her side? Or were you planning on painting it for her?

Silvercatowner · 19/04/2015 14:39

Heck - I've put wires all over my side of my neighbours fences.....

NickiFury · 19/04/2015 14:41

It wouldn't occur to me to mind about this let alone "fall out" over it Confused.

GraysAnalogy · 19/04/2015 14:44

How was she to know they were yours?

And how does this effect you?

McButtonwillow · 19/04/2015 14:45

Nope it wouldn't have occurred me to ask either- our neighbours have recently erected a new fence and we'll be painting our side soon (mainly to protect it and keep it looking nice). I won't be asking their permission first.

hopeforthebestplanfortheworst · 19/04/2015 14:45

Oh I'm not bothered about the paint itself, was very surprised she didn't ask tho. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that without checking. Seems I'm in the minority! Which is ok, I was after a bit of perspective. So thank you for the replies!

I don't know what else could follow as I wouldn't have thought of this as I'd have asked my neighbour without doubt. I think maybe they've drilled / screwed into some of my concrete posts to put up hooks, which a builder once told me could damage due to water ingress. That sort of thing I guess.
Neither of us rent, both own.

OP posts:
Charis1 · 19/04/2015 14:48

i certainly wouldn't ention it, it has nothing to do with you, and would just make you look nit picky and incredibly petty.

The ownership of a boundary fence is to do with who replaces it if it is blown down, nothing to do with what you do on your side of it.

ShatnersBassoon · 19/04/2015 14:48

What would you have said if she'd asked?

hopeforthebestplanfortheworst · 19/04/2015 14:50

Doesn't need painting to maintain. Its not wooden.

Don't lynch mob me! I was checking to c if I was being unreasonable not to have an argument! Ive appreciated others perspective!

OP posts:
TheCunnyFunt · 19/04/2015 14:53

As long as you don't do what that other poster did. Her NDN did exactly the same thing as yours did and the MNer painted them a different colour because she didn't want them that colour. NDN painted them back, then the MNer repainted them again Shock

PeachyPants · 19/04/2015 14:56

I wouldn't expect a neighbour to ask permission in these circumstances, I appreciate that you're worried that this would be the thin end of the wedge but I think raising this with her would be counterproductive, if she does anything which might damage your property then I'd weigh up whether it's worth raising that with her (tbh though hanging baskets in concrete posts wouldn't cross the threshold for me either).

GraysAnalogy · 19/04/2015 14:59

Lynch mob Confused

You asked if you were being unreasonable and you have your answer. There's no lynching going on

MyArksNotReady · 19/04/2015 15:02

Why is she painting it if it's not wood?

NeedABumChange · 19/04/2015 15:05

Gosh I'd think my neighbour was having a breakdown of they "confronted" me over painting my garden wall because they technically own them. Were you planning on selling them?

AimlesslyPurposeful · 19/04/2015 15:08

YANBU - It's a boundary fence and as she owns the property she should know who is responsible for which side fencing (Normally you own the fence to the left of your property when looking at the front of the house but it will be stipulated in the deeds) and check before making any alterations. By rights you could ask her to return it to its original condition. Worth remembering if you live next door to particularly difficult neighbours.

Someone I know spray painted the new fencing her neighbour had put up and the wind carried the paint over to their garden staining their new stone paving and the garden furniture. Had she have asked them first they could have laid dust sheets and moved the furniture.

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LIZS · 19/04/2015 15:14

If it isn't wood has the colour come through so it looks patchy from your side. If you can't see it probably best not to make an issue . Were you in while she was doing it?

Snowsquonk · 19/04/2015 15:31

If it's your fence, then no, she should not be painting your property.

Same for anyone who has attached things to their side of a fence which belongs to a neighbour - it's not your property to attach things too. If you want wires or anything else, put your own fence up and attach things to that.

Silvercatowner · 19/04/2015 15:35

See I have an amicable relationship with my neighbours. That is why I can attach things to my side and I really have no interest in what they do with their side, as long as there is no damage. Give and take - oils the wheels. You should try it some time Snowsquonk.

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