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Original poster

If we put a 6ft fence up next to our neighbours .... Can they do anything?

182 replies

ButteredRadishes · 15/05/2025 08:07

We offered to replace the old fence that is shared to Ur back gardens. They've got a 3 ft wires fence, rotting poles, leaning etc. is "their fence" as far as I can see.

We want to replace it (at our cost), they verbally agreed but are now kicking off, saying it will block their light, they don't want a 6ft, they want 3 ft.

We want 6ft, because she curtain twitches at the back window.

Any way, if they don't want to get theirs actually replaced, can we just build a fence next to theirs on our property? Like an inch or so away from theirs?

As far as I cans we, they'll be miffed,but couldn't actually stop us, right?

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 15/05/2025 08:08

What about 3ft with a big trellis and fast growing clematis ?

MuggleMe · 15/05/2025 08:08

Yep provided it's on your land and the height doesn't break any regulations, crack on.

SirChenjins · 15/05/2025 08:09

Nope, they can't stop you building a fence on your land. Check with your council's planning dept just in case they have some mad local rule that states you're not allowed to have a fence 6 foot high or above, but otherwise crack on!

Interested in this thread?

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Gardening
FionnulaTheCooler · 15/05/2025 08:09

As long as it's within your own border and complies with local planning requirements they can't do anything about it.

Doggymummar · 15/05/2025 08:12

My neighbours tried for an 8ft, they recond there dog would jump a 6 footer. Council let them have 6 ft 6 and then they put trellis in the top to make it 8 ft anyway so I think you'll be fine.n

2dogsandabudgie · 15/05/2025 08:16

I would check on your house deeds to see if they definitely own that fence, if they don't they can't do anything about you replacing it. If it is definitely theres then just put a 6ft fence along side it.

TooGoodToGoto · 15/05/2025 08:19

Nope you crack on, they’re clearly being instructive!

Enjoy your new fence!

LemonLimeOrangeKiwi · 15/05/2025 08:20

A 6 foot fence will block their light, really?! 🙄

Have a look at neighbouring properties- has anyone else done this? I don’t see it being a problem unless there is a restricted covenant.

Failing that, a nice fast growing hedge could do the job.

rwalker · 15/05/2025 08:44

LemonLimeOrangeKiwi · 15/05/2025 08:20

A 6 foot fence will block their light, really?! 🙄

Have a look at neighbouring properties- has anyone else done this? I don’t see it being a problem unless there is a restricted covenant.

Failing that, a nice fast growing hedge could do the job.

Edited

Won’t block light but will block sun and depending which way the garden faces a big chunk of it could be In The shade
we have 6ft6 fence it takes 1/2 the sun off the garden ( no problem as plenty of garden left in sun ) and small patio always in the shade

Original poster
ButteredRadishes · 15/05/2025 09:00

rwalker · 15/05/2025 08:44

Won’t block light but will block sun and depending which way the garden faces a big chunk of it could be In The shade
we have 6ft6 fence it takes 1/2 the sun off the garden ( no problem as plenty of garden left in sun ) and small patio always in the shade

Show quote history

It won't block the sun.

The garden is NW facing So half of the garden is in shade in morning anyway and from the house (where her dining room is).

See diagram to show sun journey through day. So half our garden closest to house is in shade until the afternoon anyway.

If we put a 6ft fence up next to our neighbours .... Can they do anything?
OP posts:
TMMC1 · 15/05/2025 09:02

ButteredRadishes · 15/05/2025 08:07

We offered to replace the old fence that is shared to Ur back gardens. They've got a 3 ft wires fence, rotting poles, leaning etc. is "their fence" as far as I can see.

We want to replace it (at our cost), they verbally agreed but are now kicking off, saying it will block their light, they don't want a 6ft, they want 3 ft.

We want 6ft, because she curtain twitches at the back window.

Any way, if they don't want to get theirs actually replaced, can we just build a fence next to theirs on our property? Like an inch or so away from theirs?

As far as I cans we, they'll be miffed,but couldn't actually stop us, right?

A) check who owns it
B) replace with a fast growing hedge. Planners can object to fences, they can’t do anything about hedges.

GOODCAT · 15/05/2025 09:06

We had a neighbour do this to us. The fence was only 6 inches from our window. It blocks the light. We also don't have any other window in that room, so it isn't great. I wouldn't have minded plants but no it has to be a fence. We don't speak. Less of a problem next to the garden but they didn't put one there! Instead they rely on our hedge but lean over and cut it back when they don't like the height even though it is lower than the fence they used to block our window up.

Worth seeing if you can compromise so say 5 ft with higher planting behind as that is much less intrusive.

caramac04 · 15/05/2025 09:06

You can put a fence up to 6 feet high. If you’re not certain who owns the fence then you can, as asked, put it just inside the border.
You might want to consider a 5’ fence and grow some climbers. I’ve just planted some evergreen honeysuckle and got 3 plants for £10. They don’t need pruning and will soften the appearance of the fence.
Or put a series of arches (metal ones are quite cheap) and plant club.
Best of all, the fence and plant arches. Helps to muffle sound as well so enhances privacy.

caramac04 · 15/05/2025 09:07

Climbers not club. Can’t find edit button.

Seamond · 15/05/2025 09:09

My mum did this, as long as it is within the legal height, no reason why not and no covenants on your house to say you can't, though fence covenants are usually for front gardens

AndorTheRelentless · 15/05/2025 09:12

TMMC1 · 15/05/2025 09:02

A) check who owns it
B) replace with a fast growing hedge. Planners can object to fences, they can’t do anything about hedges.

Show quote history

why have you quoted the OP?

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 15/05/2025 09:19

@ButteredRadishes sunlight and light are considered to be two totally different things when it comes to planning. people are entitled to light but not sun. light comes from above not from the side so it really would not affect the light coming down from the sky if you have a one foot fence or a six foot fence. it will affect sunlight at certain time of the day.

Seeline · 15/05/2025 09:20

TMMC1 · 15/05/2025 09:02

A) check who owns it
B) replace with a fast growing hedge. Planners can object to fences, they can’t do anything about hedges.

Show quote history

Planners can't object to fences if they fall under the relevant permitted development requirements.
The Council can intervene if a hedge is primarily evergreen and over 2m tall.

TMMC1 · 15/05/2025 09:21

AndorTheRelentless · 15/05/2025 09:12

why have you quoted the OP?

Show quote history

Who is OP?
how should I reply to a comment?

rwalker · 15/05/2025 09:23

ButteredRadishes · 15/05/2025 09:00

It won't block the sun.

The garden is NW facing So half of the garden is in shade in morning anyway and from the house (where her dining room is).

See diagram to show sun journey through day. So half our garden closest to house is in shade until the afternoon anyway.

Show quote history

Crack on with it
entirely on your land nothing they can do

Arcticsway · 15/05/2025 09:24

There would not normally be anything preventing you from putting up your own fence on your own side of the current fence. The fence between us and our neighbours was circa 1950, 4ft high and falling down, it was the neighbours' fence but they had no interest in replacing it. We wanted more privacy so we put up a 6ft fence on our side and grew climbers up it. (The neighbours were absolutely fine about it.)

Hoydenish · 15/05/2025 09:30

Put up a fence on your land. In our county you are allowed up to 6 foot 6. If funds allow get a double-nice-sided fence so you can both have the 'nice side', but if not, there is no obligation to give the 'nice' side to the neighbours.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 15/05/2025 09:30

They don't want a taller fence so they can intimidate you.

ExpressCheckout · 15/05/2025 09:32

Is this the first MN property post with a solar diagram? I'm impressed.

Leylines · 15/05/2025 09:35

I don't see a problem with this. At our old house the fence was topped with trellis and the neighbours used to peer through it at us, and they also knocked a few knots out of the fence so they could spy through them at the DC in their paddling pool. I blocked those up when I found them and DH planted a thick hedge on our side which blocked their view through to us completely. We kept the hedge trimmed to 6 feet and there was nothing they could do about it as it was on our land.

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