What to do about our fence.

[bibbityping]

We have recently moved house. 2 side fences belong to us and previous owners have replaced both for new.
Bottom fence is not ours and isn’t in great shape. Where neighbours have plants in a border next to their side of the fence pushing the fence, the fence is bowing into our garden (so over onto our boundary by 6 inches or so in places)
We are happy to pay for a new fence but would want it in the same style as our side fences, which would mean owners of the crappy fence garden would have 1 fence different to the others.
Haven’t broached changing fence with them yet anyway.
If they are not happy for us to replace the fence then we are thinking of putting up trellis panels on our own side to hide their fence. My only issue is that we wouldn’t be able to get trellis right up to our boundary line due to their bowing fence panels and if we put trellis 6 or so inches away from their fence then if their fence continues to bow more as their plants push it then it will damage our trellis we install.
Any ideas?

Ask them if they are happy for you to pay for a new fence and don't mention the style. Unless you raise it they are unlikely to themselves. But, if the fence is bowing due to overgrowing plants in their garden, won't they need sorting out? That might be trickier to sort or they may never have the time or inclination and be happy for them to be sorted out.

Yeah I think ultimately they will need to remove their bushes that are making the fence bow so will also discuss that with them.

Just have a conversation about how the fence is bowing into your garden and offer to pay for a new fence. Then get the style you want.

Ok. I think I’m making this a much bigger issue than it needs to be!!!

Why don't you just put up your own fence on your own land, just inside their fence?

I did think about putting up on our fence or our own trellis panels. I just worry that their bowing fence will damage any fence we erect on our side.

Hard to show on a photo but there’s 3 panels in a row like this...

Why don't you just put up your own fence on your own land, just inside their fence?
Because then she’s losing a chunk of her garden!

owners of the crappy fence garden would have 1 fence different to the others
That’s not your problem.

the fence is bowing into our garden
If you wanted to be awkward you could ask for compensation because their bushes have damaged your fence and now you have to replace it. It’s very kind of you to say you’ll replace it at your own cost and not charge them for the damage.

Tell them their bushes have damaged your fence and are encroaching onto your boundary. Give them 14 days to remove the bushes that are crossing the boundary otherwise you’ll remove them yourself. Then after 14 days if they haven’t sorted it you cut the bushes back level with the boundary and return the clippings to your neighbours. Then get your fence installed. If their bushes start growing across your boundary again you’re within your rights to cut them back. I’d send a letter to the neighbours stating you’ve kindly not charged for the damage on this occasion but please keep the bushes trimmed because you will charge them if your fence is damaged again.

They own that fence. So they’ve damaged their own fence. But yes it is now causing us to lose 6 inches or so of garden.
I’m happy to pay for a new one. Just not sure how to broach it with them!

They own that fence
Oh, that’s slightly different. I’d start by nicely saying I’m willing to pay for the new fence and is it ok if I take down their old fence and cut back the bushes? But if they said no I’d firmly tell them their fence and bushes are encroaching onto my land and must be removed from my property within 14 days otherwise I’ll remove them myself.

Ask them to sort out the bowing fence which is encroaching onto your land. But get your own matching fence and erect it just inside your land from their fence. You'll have a matching fence and never need to worry about theirs ever again.

Do take before photos though in case they remove their fence and try to claim your fence as theirs in future (and the additional couple of inches of land).

Too slow to reply!

Tread very carefully getting into an argument over 6 inches of garden.