Willow Hurdles.. Would I be allowed to attach to neighbours fence?

[Pisspoorresults]

Our neighbours are not typical neighbours. When myself or kids say hello the neighbours keep walking with eyes down.

Before I knock on their door and ask if they mind if I attach willow hurdles to their fence has massive gaps in it I would like to know if its acceptable and legal. It is quite a new fence (not great workmanship a bit wobbly).

We built our house 5 years ago and these neighbours complained to the council constantly during the build, they are definitely not approachable.

Also the fence was there before we built, does that mean they have automatic rights to decisions on the fence - we really would prefer a stronger fence.

[AnonYonimousBird]

Do the hurdles need to attach? I have living willow hurdles all down one side, they are very close to the boundary hedge but do not need the support of it..... Maybe they aren't the same things as you have.

You say it is "their" fence. Presumably if you wanted to paint your side, which you look at, a different colour, you could (or could you not, I don't know?!)

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

If it is their boundary fence, you need permission to do anything to it. So yes, you'd need to ask to attach the willow hurdles (or paint it, I believe) because it's theirs.

I'd second what Anon said: Can you stand the willow hurdles so that they don't touch the fence, but stand quite closely to it?

It doesn't sound like your neighbours are likely to give permission.

[Pisspoorresults]

AnonBird - How have you supported your hurdles, it's pretty windy here.

Caja - if they built the fence does it automatically give them rights to the boundary fence? I'm surrounded by 5 different neighbours boundaries and I'm so confused with what we can do and what we can't. Luckily, the rest of our neighbours are really nice (as are we ).

I may just have to put the willow hurdles up and see what happens. Perhaps the neighbours are less likely to refuse if willow hurdles are already up.... Worst that can happen is they ask us to remove them.

[AnonYonimousBird]

Sorry - I think I may be talking about something different on reflection - mine are Living Willows, planted in the ground then wound in together to form a kind of barrier, they carry on growing and getting stronger.

They are also very close to a large hedge which protects them from being blown around.

Can you stand the hurdles a couple of inches away from the fence and plant them well into the ground?? Almost touching but not physically attached? Will they get some wind protection from their fence??

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

Ah, in that case, no it doesn't.

The deeds to your house will show which fence is yours, and which is your neighbours. They're divided so everyone maintains one. Some newer agreements might say that all fences are equally owned, and therefore maintenance is shared, but that's relatively rare.

Life was simpler when everybody owned the fence to their left!

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

You could just put them up. If they kick up a fuss, they'd only be entitled to a new fence (presuming you'd damaged the existing one by attaching the willow hurdles to it).

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I just put up willow screening and asked my neighbours if it was ok. Thankfully they said it was fine. You might have to think what would be worse, them saying no or them going ballistic if you did it without asking? Who knows though they might say yes to you if it gives both of you more privacy?

[Rhubarbgarden]

I wouldn't risk it. They sound difficult and if they decide to claim you've damaged their fence you could be liable to pay for it replacing. It would have to be replaced like for like - you wouldn't be able to say 'fine we'll replace it with willow hurdles'. It could get expensive and acrimonious. Just put up your own supports in front of theirs and attach your hurdles to those.

[JillJ72]

With our neighbours I have added trellis, but we did ask (they didn't mind) and as the fence is rickety we put nails in and then hung the trellis, so that if panels are replaced, we can unhook the trellis / plants without any damage.