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AIBU?

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To want to knock nails back through to neighbour's garden

87 replies

FindingTheBalance · 29/05/2025 18:31

We have obnoxious neighbours that we've had disputes with since they moved in. I made the mistake of asking them to turn music down so my baby could sleep and after two polite requests they said if we ever spoke to them again they'd report us for harrassment. Since then we've had issue after issue with them with them shouting abuse at us, spreading lies about us around our kids school and generally a-hole behaviour like encouraging their dogs to jump up at the fence and bark when we come in the garden.

Anyway, my husband just came in with a gash down his arm. Turns out they keep attaching items to their fence, but use crazily long nails to do so. We were already aware of a new set down one third of the fence so have blocked those off from the kids. But we've now discovered another set of them just behind our children's den that we're dismantling to build a bigger one. It's a blessing our kids haven't been stabbed by them as they climb around there all the time.

Would aibu to just hammer the nails back through? Or cut them flush with the panel? If they were reasonable neighbours I'd talk to them first but that's sadly not the case.

OP posts:
Mydoglovescheese · 30/05/2025 08:49

50Balesofgrey · 29/05/2025 22:12

I'd just put up a fence of your own, given it's their fence. Run it against theirs. You'll lose a tiny bit of garden but hopefully gain some peace

I did just this because my neighbours have 3 large dogs continually hurling themselves at the fence, growling and barking. I was worried about our safety so I had a fence installed on my side. Expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind.

EmpressoftheMundane · 30/05/2025 08:46

MyCyanReader · 30/05/2025 08:40

Just cut the end of the screws off and don't mention it to the neighbour.

They're either trying to get a reaction or just thick.

Agree. Get a bolt cutter and cut them off flush to the fence.

MyCyanReader · 30/05/2025 08:40

Just cut the end of the screws off and don't mention it to the neighbour.

They're either trying to get a reaction or just thick.

TimeForATerf · 30/05/2025 08:35

I know it's petty but the screws are trespassing on your land 😀, so I would say you can remove the overhanging screw in the way you can a branch.

I wouldn't hammer them back through, hammering a screw will split the wood. Just cut them off and offer the cut off screw back to them.

Take pictures of them all first.

Or even better, fit a six foot fence on your side, with the ugly side facing them like they have done, and any further screws will disappear into the void between the fences.

pelargoniums · 30/05/2025 08:31

Pair of pliers for grip and unscrew the screw so it falls back off their side. It can’t be supporting anything heavy as it’s through the thin board not the support; they’re either idiots or deliberately fucking with you.

DrummingMousWife · 30/05/2025 07:58

I’ll seek legal advice about this and start logging everything. They are harassing you and acting anti socially , you may have a claim if your husband has been injured by their negligence.

Lonelydave · 30/05/2025 07:51

Or loop solar lights around the screws? So thoughtful of your neighbours to assist you with making your garden nice!

FindingTheBalance · 30/05/2025 07:49

I like the cork idea, thank you :) Feels less likely to cause retaliation if I damage the screws/whatever they may be holding up.

The fence idea is a good one but we've been here 7 years and in that time put extensive flower beds in with high shrubs, and an arbour, so it's not really feasible to add a fence along the whole length of the garden. Although obviously those shrubs and arbour stop the kids accessing any sharp screws.

On the uncovered stretches, we could add single fence panels/screens so I'll consider those too.

I will also document all of this with photos in case of further neighbour issues.

Thank you for the suggestions and letting me rant.

OP posts:
sesquipedalian · 30/05/2025 05:50

OP, your looney tunes neighbour is absolutely aware of what he is doing with those long screws. I’d cut them off immediately. What a complete douche!

PortillosRedTrousers · 30/05/2025 02:13

Nasty bastards. I would evidence it all, and for now add a cork. They will be waiting for a reaction, don’t give them one. When they stop adding more screws due to lack of a reaction, then cut them off on your side.

tothelefttotheleft · 30/05/2025 01:26

Your picture really shocked me. What a nasty thing your neighbours have done.

WeightLossGoal2024 · 30/05/2025 01:09

Moll2020 · 29/05/2025 22:28

Put your own fence up with a small gap between. You’ll lose a little strip of your garden but much better than the danger of those screws poking through.

This

Crispsanddips25 · 30/05/2025 00:41

I think you need to put your own fence up on your side. If it’s their fence and you go knocking nails back through etc it just invites potential further arguments. They sound horrendous. Get something that’s an eyesore on their side!

toottoot3 · 30/05/2025 00:35

If you hammer them at an angle flat down, to the side, which will probably have whatever is hanging twist a bit on their side. They will probably want to complain to you but at that point explain why your hammering them due to danger to kids.

JohnofWessex · 29/05/2025 22:44

I would suggest that you record how many screws and the locations

Also advise them that in writing your husband has been injured by them so if there are further incidents they cannot avoid liability

Ohnobackagain · 29/05/2025 22:40

@FindingTheBalance they clearly want a fight so I’d get some champagne corks and screw them onto the screws. Will stop you injuring yourself while not affecting them one bit, so nothing for them to whinge about.

glittercunt · 29/05/2025 22:34

Bolt cutters. Much, much easier and quicker. Less obvious to the neighbours when you're doing it. And if you can afford to, a brick wall so they don't get petty and screw through your fence too.

Snowdropsaremyfavourite · 29/05/2025 22:32

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I've had DIY enthusiasts living next door to me and it can be hair raising at times! I thought they were going to drill through my living room wall one day.

I wonder if you could buy some screw end caps (image attached) to cover the sharpness of the screw? Maybe you could hang a bird feeder on it or something ornamental or is it too low down? Sorry, I know it's not ideal but I was just trying to think of some solutions.

To want to knock nails back through to neighbour's garden
ILoveBrum · 29/05/2025 22:29

I’d hammer them back through - we had dickhead neighbours years ago who did something similar. I went ballistic as all I could picture was one of my kids being blinded & to be honest, I think me appearing totally crazy made them back off as they didn’t say a word when I hammered the screws back through & they didn’t repeat it either!

Moll2020 · 29/05/2025 22:28

Put your own fence up with a small gap between. You’ll lose a little strip of your garden but much better than the danger of those screws poking through.

TY78910 · 29/05/2025 22:20

parietal · 29/05/2025 22:11

the simplest solution is to screw a cork onto each one and then tell your kids not to play there.

there isn't anyone you can report it to and you don't really want to start spending money on lawyers letters for a few screws.

I understand this and agree that it would get pricey to involve legal but it’s the principle here. People would kick up a fuss if a neighbour painted their side of the fence and paint seeped over for instance. Let alone mega screws. OP already said her DH ended up with a cut so it’s not even hypothetical at this point.

Suntree32 · 29/05/2025 22:17

I'd put up my own fence too. Is it a long boundary?

Mamadothehump · 29/05/2025 22:16

50Balesofgrey · 29/05/2025 22:12

I'd just put up a fence of your own, given it's their fence. Run it against theirs. You'll lose a tiny bit of garden but hopefully gain some peace

This. Obviously your neighbours are arseholes and you shouldn’t have to but might be the best option for you.

Ilovemyshed · 29/05/2025 22:14

Cut them off with a multi tool or angle grinder.

ChateauMargaux · 29/05/2025 22:13

Bolt cutters will be easier than a hacksaw..