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Original poster

Asking neighbours not to grow plants on our fence

164 replies

crunchiest · 18/08/2026 17:19

We recently had to replace the retaining wall and fence between our garden and the neighbours garden. The retaining wall was on our property, and so was the fence. We asked the neighbours to contribute to the cost of the fence, and they refused, citing “works” they were saving up for.
Legally it was a grey area, with better argument that we should pay for the whole thing, so we did it. It was very expensive, and the neighbours now have a super nice fence to look at instead of the disgusting crumbly one from before. It was done last October and I’ve now seen that the neighbours are now growing all kinds of plants on our fence (on their side) including leaning polls on there for their tomatoes. Aibu to ask them not to do that? The fence is wood and will obviously be damaged by this.

OP posts:
TropicalFishAreTwats · 18/08/2026 17:40

I wouldn't ask, as you can see from the responses here, despite your considerable expense your neighbours still view it as 'their' fence.
Personally I would be out with the watering can liberally dosed with bleach right next to the fence on my side. If some accidentally got in their plants and killed them it would be a shame 🤷‍♀️

GiveMeWordGames · 18/08/2026 17:39

Mountainbetweenus · 18/08/2026 17:32

It’s very simple - if it’s your fence i.e. you paid for it, your neighbours are not entitled to attach anything to it or grow anything up it etc., and you are entitled to ask them not to.

Legally, should they do so, it falls under the civil torts of trespass and criminal damage.

Edit: They are entitled to erect their own fence parallel to yours.

Edited

On the average row of terraced house gardens - where (in general) each house is responsible for one of their fences on either side - can you imagine if everyone took this approach? There'd either be legal havoc or a weird set of fences alternatingly bare on one side and festooned with plants on the other.

Fortunately, most people don't look at it this way!!

YouSawBrigadoon · 18/08/2026 17:36

Just petty of you. Forget about it.

AgnesMcDoo · 18/08/2026 17:35

It’s really not worth it. Let it go.

GiveMeWordGames · 18/08/2026 17:33

Elieza · 18/08/2026 17:28

my fence fell to bits a few years ago. the bit that stayed up longest had no ivy growing up it.

the bit that fell down first (a year and a half earlier) was pulled down by the sheer weight i think.

we halved in for a replacement fence. i told them not to grow stuff up it as it would pull it down again.

it’s COVERED in ivy. it’s grown right over and down my side. i cannot see the fence through it. Itll pull this fence down too. So annoyed.

Most people don't plant ivy, though. It's a bit of a rampant thug once it gets a toehold.

Ironically if someone plants something they actually want against a fence, then they're more likely to be motivated to deal with any ivy.

Mountainbetweenus · 18/08/2026 17:32

It’s very simple - if it’s your fence i.e. you paid for it, your neighbours are not entitled to attach anything to it or grow anything up it etc., and you are entitled to ask them not to.

Legally, should they do so, it falls under the civil torts of trespass and criminal damage.

Edit: They are entitled to erect their own fence parallel to yours.

Original poster
crunchiest · 18/08/2026 17:31

Jasmin71 · 18/08/2026 17:25

They can grow what they want as long as it is not physically attached and only supported from the ground up on their side.

a bunch of the plants are attached to it, yes.

OP posts:
Raptors · 18/08/2026 17:29

How poorly made is the fence if you think some plants and poles leaning against it will damage it?

They are doing nothing wrong.

Elieza · 18/08/2026 17:28

my fence fell to bits a few years ago. the bit that stayed up longest had no ivy growing up it.

the bit that fell down first (a year and a half earlier) was pulled down by the sheer weight i think.

we halved in for a replacement fence. i told them not to grow stuff up it as it would pull it down again.

it’s COVERED in ivy. it’s grown right over and down my side. i cannot see the fence through it. Itll pull this fence down too. So annoyed.

GiveMeWordGames · 18/08/2026 17:26

You're being ridiculous. You don't get to dictate that your neighbours have to stare at a bare fence just because you paid for it and you're in a huff that they didn't want to contribute. Tomato plants, and a support/trellis won't damage it anyway.

The one thing that will really wreck it is ivy which most people don't plant, it just takes over.

Jasmin71 · 18/08/2026 17:25

They can grow what they want as long as it is not physically attached and only supported from the ground up on their side.

concertinacornflake · 18/08/2026 17:23

I don't think you can ask.

It's never occured to me to look over my fence to see what's touching the other side.

Leaning a pole against it for tomatoes won't damage it.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 18/08/2026 17:21

I don't see that it's anything to do with you. The plants are on their side, after all.

PepsiBook · 18/08/2026 17:21

I thought they could do as they wish on their side?