Not to want neighbours to take my fence down?

[thedogwakesuptoodamnearly]

They're moving out. When they moved in, they sent me a note telling me I wouldn't mind if they took the fence down to get their sofas out, would I? (My house has a side gate, theirs doesn't).

I asked them to let me know when they wanted to do this. First I found out was looking out of my window to see a man in my garden with a screwdriver. Then he took my gate down too to make the space wider.

I had to hassle them quite hard to get it all put back up the same day.

So I'm expecing a repeat...but I want to make my garden nice this year and that will involve planting up against the fences.

Can I say no? I'm not sure they would pay attention even if I did...

YANBU, I would refuse but it does sound as if they would do it anyway.

YABU how on earth do you expect them to get the sofa out if they had to put it in that way?

you should make it clear to the people moving in that you cant take the fence down, but YABU, since you allowed it in the first place.

i wouldnt plant that fence before they move.

Just let them do it, put it back up and then make it immovable for the next tenants.

If they can't get things in & out via their own property then they need to buy smaller things!!

YANBU & I'd consider some nice, prickly plants growing along the fence....

It would be a bit mean not to let them, all they want to do is take their sofas, lifes too short to not let them, it would just be nice of you to allow them to do it.

Hollyhunter, I'm not sure why it's any of the OP's concern how they get it out. Chop it up into small pieces? I'd be peeved if they didn't tell me when exactly they were doing it and then had to be hassled to put the fence up again. OP is within her rights to refuse and that doesn't make her unreasonable, if they hadn't needed hassling in the first place to put the fence up and hadn't removed the panel without checking first on that day I'd be inclined to be nice and let them do it.

If they are moving out, I wonder how concerned they will be about replacing everything?

I'd say no tbh-especially given the fact that they more or less just went ahead before.

When you say you had to hassle them quite hard, what do you mean?

If they were difficult about it last time, I wouldn't let them unless relations have improved and you think you can trust them. But it's worrying that they didn't take it as a given that they would have to put it back up immediately, and that they didn't let you know when they'd be doing it.

They are less likely to be helpful on the way out when they have another house to move into the same day than on the way in when they were going to be living next to you.

I'm also wondering why they need to take your fence down as opposed to their own?

And does it mean then them taking stuff via your garden?

What sort of house is it? It's very common in older terraces for a right of way to exist over neighbours' gardens for delivery - dates back to pre-central heating days for coal deliveries.

If they don't have a RoW then you'd be quite reasonable to grant permission at a specified time, stating the fence has to go back up immediately and any damage made good.

I'm probably a bit soft but I'd be ok with that but I'd point out that after last time you want the fence to be put back far more swiftly and that as the ground us so wet you want minimal people and trips across your garden so just the sofa to come through.

I'm the end of the row, they're not Victorian and there is no right of access.

When I say hassle, I had to help them carry the sofa through, because they'd just put it down on their drive and looked set to leave it there all day, and knock on the door at about 4pm and say "please come and put my gate back up now." Without the gate my property is a lot less secure.

Faithless, you are right, if it had gone better the first time I would be less stressed now. It was as if they felt they had the right to help themselves to my garden.

diddl, yes - through the fence, across my lawn and up the side of my house.

I value my privacy and my security a lot.

It's only just sold, so it will be maybe 6 weeks before they need to move. Now would be better as there is nothing growing, but by spring I want veggies in.

Sorry - leave it there all day having already taken the fence and gate down.

Say no - they can always take a window out to get it out.

I'd like to think that I help neighbours when possible, but they just sound so -dare I say it-entitled!

I would say when you want to plant stuff do so & tell them no if it's inconvenient by the time they move.

If you're minded to let them bring it through, they could always lift it over the fence. It's more hassle, but perfectly possible. No reason why they would have to trample growing beds either.

If they wanted to do this they should have been more considerate when they were putting the sofas in. That said I expect they might go ahead anyway so the easier thing all around might be to explain how you were unhappy last time, say you are unwilling to put up with a repeat performance and get them to agree in detail the whole process. Get them to sign the agreed process. I do think it would be really nice if you did that but I would be annoyed about the last time too. Btw don't let the new neighbours see they might get ideas.

Thanks everyone :)

Well, if they've become friends I'd agree, if not, I probably wouldn't given the performance last time round. Sounds harsh but you reap what you sow...

i've had entitled neightbours like this before. Just say no, they're moving out anyway it's not like you have to live next to them anymore.

Tell them no.

Say you're worried about it's structural integrity what with all of the wind at the moment.

Say if they take it down and put it back up again it'll damage the fittings.

:)

:) i am googling "quick growing climbing plants" I reckon I could have it well covered in three months!