Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to object to a neighbour growing ivy on our fence?

230 replies

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 11:19

Our neighbour has planted ivy up our boundary fence (owned by us) for the second time. They previously grew ivy up the fence, and we eventually replaced the fence as it was getting old and worn. The new fence now has ivy poking through on our side! It’s such an eye sore and really does look a mess.

What can I do here? Are they technically “allowed” to grow a climbing plant up a boundary owned by us? They are elderly but also very unreasonable hence why I haven’t approached them about it yet.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Friendlygingercat · 23/06/2026 13:36

I love ivy and have allowed it to grow all over my front fence. It covers the gaps and gives me privacy. I usually get my gardener to cut it back once a year in autumn. If it spreads over the neighbouring fence they can deal with anything that grows on their side but I am not getting rid of what is in my garden. They are probably too scared of me to mention it.

Kalanthe · 23/06/2026 13:34

No advice here but I understand your annoyance. Last year I bought a house right next to a park and the fence is covered by ivy growing over from the park. It pops out individual fence slates and they have to be reattached. It leaves marks on the fence. It’s difficult to take off or trim. Forget about ever painting that fence unless you take days to take ivy off and sand every individual slate. It’s my nightmare

caringcarer · 23/06/2026 13:34

The way to deal with Ivy is to cut it back at roots. The roots are still there but the Ivy growing up the fence dies off.

Marieb19 · 23/06/2026 13:34

I beleive you are allowed to pull the ivy away from your fence, although you can't go onto their land to do this. Boundary fences can be a real issue. Could you suggest that you remove the ivy and offer to plant something less damaging in its place, such as a clematis?

Delphiniumandlupins · 23/06/2026 13:33

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 23/06/2026 11:52

I like it actually! Always have done. Gives me Secret Garden (the old fashioned story book) vibes.

Show quote history

You can also use the leaves as soap for laundry. Which is no help to the OP I realise

godmum56 · 23/06/2026 13:30

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 11:27

Yes this is what’s happened. I cut it back every time our lawn is mowed (once a week), and it’s back over again each time!

They’ve definitely planted it. They have it growing up a trellis.

I don’t really want to be harsh (they are elderly), but it looks such a mess from my side.

Show quote history

They are not allowed to use a fence which you own to support the growth of anything without your permission. They are not allowed to attach trellis or anything else to a fence which you own without your permission. You can't stop them growing ivy but you can stop them using your fence as a support for it. You absolutely can tell them this but it may cause you problems in the future.

Tableforjoan · 23/06/2026 13:27

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:25

Does anybody really have time to get their soil analysed?!

Show quote history

Retired people with too much time and money on their hands.

Zuve · 23/06/2026 13:27

We had that from our neighbour and one evening hubby climbed up and poured a load of weedkiller and plant killer. End of problem

GasPanic · 23/06/2026 13:26

A fence like that is pretty solid. It's the lap fencing that is easily destroyed. That one will probably hold up as it has vertical boards.

My guess is that is that it is now established enough that it would be a right hassle to take it down from that picture.

FullOfLemons · 23/06/2026 13:26

MartinAston · 23/06/2026 11:36

Yabvu OP. You can cut the ivy back to the boundary but they have the right to grow it on their side.

This is just wrong

The fence belongs to OP

The neighbours are not allowed to grow anything on the fence without the permission of the OP.

Original poster
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:25

Allseeingallknowing · 23/06/2026 13:24

I think the neighbour would be suspicious, get the soil analysed and you would be in trouble!

Show quote history

Does anybody really have time to get their soil analysed?!

OP posts:
Allseeingallknowing · 23/06/2026 13:24

MotherOfSoManyCats · 23/06/2026 13:20

Another thought (doing well today!) If you were to dig under your fence where the roots would be and pour some weedkiller in directly onto the roots? No evidence of you doing anything, it would just "naturally" die

I think the neighbour would be suspicious, get the soil analysed and you would be in trouble!

Original poster
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:24

ExOptimist · 23/06/2026 13:20

Can't see the problem with a fence looking like those pictures, it looks attractive.

But perhaps you are someone that has one of those regimented sterile looking gardens surrounded by bare fences and a couple of plants arranged round the edge.

Show quote history

Not at all. I have multiple trees in my garden and lots of plants and greenery. I just don’t want ivy poking through my fence.

OP posts:
Additup · 23/06/2026 13:23

Onmytod24 · 23/06/2026 11:51

I never realised that so many people don’t like Ivy. I love it. I have got it growing up walls up fences up trees. I just love the look of it. It’s so fresh green and shiny and then you’ve got the variegated versions beautiful.

I agree. It's better than looking at a bare fence and it's great for wildlife too 🙂

wherearethesnacks · 23/06/2026 13:23

It will eventually rot your fence and bring it down. I can't believe people actually plant ivy. It's an ugly menace that spreads everywhere.

Original poster
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:22

Here’s an example of what it looks like on top.

AIBU to object to a neighbour growing ivy on our fence?
OP posts:
ExOptimist · 23/06/2026 13:22

Freekywindowguy · 23/06/2026 13:14

Thats a crime against nature

Show quote history

And an actual crime in law.

LostFuse · 23/06/2026 13:22

Backedoffhackedoff · 23/06/2026 12:48

Why do you think this?

and let’s be honest, what difference does it make anyway? If you commit criminal damage that you don’t get arrested or prosecuted for then what does that really mean?

Show quote history

'You cannot legally paint or hang anything on your side of a neighbour’s fence without their permission, even if it faces your garden.'
'Painting someone else’s fence is considered property damage or trespass and could result in legal action or a requirement to restore the fence.'

MotherOfSoManyCats · 23/06/2026 13:20

Another thought (doing well today!) If you were to dig under your fence where the roots would be and pour some weedkiller in directly onto the roots? No evidence of you doing anything, it would just "naturally" die

ExOptimist · 23/06/2026 13:20

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:11

That’s lovely, but you planted ivy because you wanted ivy. If I wanted Ivy in my garden I would plant it myself.

I’ve googled and this is what my fence looks like… it’s not just simply overhanging branches.

The ivy is really dense and leans over the top of the fence onto my side. I do trim this back so that it doesn’t lean into my garden, but it’s still a good 30cm higher than the fence as that’s how thick the plant is.

It’s not just as simple as cutting the bits poking through, as I can only get so close to the fence. And it only takes days for it to be back through again.

Edited
Show quote history

Can't see the problem with a fence looking like those pictures, it looks attractive.

But perhaps you are someone that has one of those regimented sterile looking gardens surrounded by bare fences and a couple of plants arranged round the edge.

MotherOfSoManyCats · 23/06/2026 13:18

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 12:53

We do get lots of birds in our garden. Will it be ok with birds? The ivy is in a raised bed and grows up a trellis.

They don’t have a cat.

Show quote history

Im not sure tbh, you'd have to read the bottles warnings - there are some pet friendly ones but not sure about birds

Tableforjoan · 23/06/2026 13:17

Yeah you’ve got a ivy pube fence lol

I don’t mind a fully covered one but like you say the current state of yours is messy.

HoldMyWine · 23/06/2026 13:17

Urgh I hate ivy. The previous owners of my house planted ivy against the fence, I have hacked it down so many times. I thought I’d found the root and killed it off, however my neighbours keep it going on their side and it still
creeps through and over the top. I’ve tried spraying with weed killer on my side but it makes no difference. It’s a bloody menace.

Original poster
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM · 23/06/2026 13:16

FunnyDoginLahLahLand · 23/06/2026 13:15

I think those pictures of ivy poking through look lovely. Much nicer than a bare fence.

I think it looks unkempt.

OP posts:
FunnyDoginLahLahLand · 23/06/2026 13:15

I think those pictures of ivy poking through look lovely. Much nicer than a bare fence.

Swipe left for the next trending thread