Neighbours and fencing

[TwoTeaTessie]

We recently added to the top of a 4 ft wall another 5 ft of fencing so we could have some privacy from the adjoining house. The house was a rental and empty at the time. Not long after the landlord sold the house and a family with 2 teenagers have moved in. They are quite loud but not anti social so nothing I can or want to complain about (though I do moan about their 14 ft trampoline in the front garden, as she they jump on it they can, and do, see into our front room)

Anyway this morning I can hear the usual DIY noises from next door and think nothing of it, but when I look out of the back window I can see a man sawing the tops off of our fence posts. Am I within my rights to be pissed off and should I go say something (I'm a big scaredy cat really).

We spent quite alot on the fence and it is our boundary according to the deeds.

Errr... You should go and say something.

if it belongs to you they can't change it

Check your deeds. I'm sure there is a limit to the height of a fence regardless of your border. It can block light from neighbour and if its over the height ( I suspect yours is) they can reduce the size

this is one for the police if he refuses to stop. He also has to have it repaired back to how it was

Well, they can't do it without speaking to you but doesn't 9ft of fencing require planning permission?

Of course you should go out and ask him what on earth he is doing? It is YOUR fence, so tell him that!

thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/garden-boundaries-and-fences/614/the-uk-law-concerning-fences-walls-and-gates/

It doesn't cast shadow into their garden as the way of the house is facing. We checked the deeds before we put the fence up, it doesn't go higher than the borders on the other 3 sides of their garden.
He has literally sawn 2 -3 inches of fence post nothing else. It is not of a height for health and safety so I don't know what the issue is. I also don't understand why not ask us. As it is our fence.

Might have been exaggerating about the height was going on estimates. The wall comes up to my middle so about 3 1/2 feet and the fencing goes a foot above my husband so about 7 feet (sorry rubbish with measurements) We are very aware of regulations as I don't want to spend money to just have to take it down

Get out there and ask him what the bloody hell he thinks he's doing to your fence!!!

"Get out there and ask him what the bloody hell he thinks he's doing to your fence!!!"

^^ This

7ft is still over the regulatory maximum height. Ask him what he is doing , he may think it is his for some reason.

Tell him to stop now ..... But I think the limit is 6ft for a fence

Did the posts have hats on, ie, were they nicely finished with little lids. From what you have described it looks as though the fence posts were not properly finished and that your neighbour is effecting an improvement.

I don't think teenagers will give two hoots about your front room btw but if you do then put up some nets, have the windows frosted or get some blinds. If u want total privacy perhaps yyou should think of moving somewhere more isolated. In the meantime try to maintain good relationships with your neighbours.

Husband has been round. They were apologetic, didn't realise it was our fence. Has agreed to help make it right.
The fence posts didn't have toppers on them, but that is due to us want to do further improvements to the garden which involve them.

You are right if privacy bothers me so much I'd put up nets etc. but TBH I think they're teenagers and will move out one day and I'm sure they'll get the same problems from mine when they're old enough.

I want to keep neighbourly relationships friendly as we get on with the rest of the neighbours and certainly don't want to make waves. So hopefully everything is ok

Good result :)