To think its NOT OK for you to replace OUR fence then tell us, when we can pay for it I am ALLOWED to paint it,

[IamSlave]

Very nice neighbours ( or so I thought)want to get a smart new fence put in all down a long garden, this will be in different heights to what is there now.

Great..wow, amazing fences cost lots of money, they have a great workman doing it...BUT they have said they will not consider me painting it. They can see on the other side,all the fence is painted! I have said, I do not like bare wood. I said I would look into replacing a bit at the top...and then at least I can paint it.However I recoiled at the price of fencing, the current fence is cobbled together, but if they painted their side...you would never know! its up and its standing! Its not falling down!

They have come round this morning and basically said " WE are replacing the fence and if and when you can give us some money for it, you can paint it!"

We will never be able to pay for the fence they are putting in.

Am I b U to find this quite astonishing, that because new, is their taste,they are going on our boundary, taking our fence down - putting an expensive fence in then saying when we pay for it....I can paint it!

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

OMG! Another fence war!
how about suggesting thet you paint each panel before it is erected.
That way you can turn it so that the slats drain downwards and the paint cannot drain through, then once it's dry they can be turned round and installed.
I find this all insane! It's a fence! They can't see your side. They are being unreasonable.

[diddl]

"they have said they were shocked I wanted paint beautiful natural un treated fence wood."

I agree with them tbh, although I'd want to tret the fence, but paint?-no way!

So in that case I think that you need to keep your fence & they put their own up.

[Iwannalaylikethisforever]

If it's your boundary fence then they will have to put their fence (up their arse) on their own boundary.
Ive seen several fences back to back because of this issue before.
They cannot insist on coming to your boundary to replace their fence.
It's very arkward if you are trying to be civil and keep the peace, but what they are saying, (assuming it's 100 percent your fence) it's taking the piss.
Our neighbours tried something similar, just assumed we would be letting them in pur garden to replace "our" fence when we didn't want it anyway. They replaced it from their side then moved!

[MrsKoala]

I think YellowDinosaur has it. Your really don't have to fall out if you word it right, yes they may be miffed but a well worded email asap could save this. I think the longer you leave it the more they get their head round the fact they have got their way. So i would write an email or pop round and say something along the lines of:

'Hi, I've been thinking further into what we discussed regarding the fence. We really are not happy with unpainted/untreated wood on our side. As the existing fence is ours, on our boundary line, and it is perfectly adequate as a fence, we are reluctant to have it removed and replaced to something we wont be happy with. Therefore, we are going to have to either withdraw permission for you to remove the existing fence (and you can then put your choice of fence inside your property line), or we are going to paint our side - in keeping with the aesthetic we prefer. Please let us know which of these choices you prefer.

Best wishes
The Slaves'

Definitely sort it sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it the more of a grievance they will feel.

[IamSlave]

I don't want the fence replaced,

I see they want a new fence,

so why don't theycompromise and allow for a few drips?

[IamSlave]

They are out their now with their workman. telling him what do

[IamSlave]

As far as I am aware.....it would still be our property inspite of them paying for it.

so i would be entited to paint the fence

[PuppyMonkey]

If they just put their own fence up inside their own boundary, you'll still get to see the bare wooden fence along your garden won't you?

[BrookeDavies]

Slight digression, what does your garden look like? I too hate dull wooden fences and would love some inspiration...

[diddl]

What's with all the long drawn out emails?

It's simple!

"We do not wish our fence on our boundary to be removed/replaced".

[siilk]

You need to get out there and say that you are not giving them permission very sorry but they can't take it down.

[diddl]

What do you mean by the current fence being "cobbled together"?

[TortillasAndChocolate]

What are you going to tell them OP? I like to keep the peace with my neighbours but I'd say this is worth standing your ground over. I'm really annoyed on your behalf.

[diddl]

Does your fence need replacing?

[IamSlave]

Its a feather edge fence, so slats come loose, get replaced.


im shaking i cant do it.

[PuppyMonkey]

Hopefully op is out there now talking to them before they go ahead.

[StopSquabbling]

Why on earth don't they just put a fence up within their boundary? You keep your so you don't have to look at theirs.

Problem solved.

[PuppyMonkey]

Oops cross posted - please go out and at least try yo speak to them.

[MrsKoala]

Diddl, personally i agree with you. My response would be very to the point and i wouldn't mind if they were upset as i think they asked for it by their cheekiness. But OP seems to be a wimp want to be diplomatic, so a softly softly email may be the better approach for a 'harmoniser' like her, rather than an 'enforcer' like me (

[IamSlave]

I would say no diddle.

i would say no because its standing up, its doing its job, has the fence seen better days, yes.

Can i understand them wanting to replace it - Yes.

This is because they think new =smart and proper. I loathe their taste I do not like it.

Is the fence standing, creating a boundary and doing its job - yes.

To them new fence looks smarty and wonderful, to me it says, no you are not in some little paradise you are in suburbia, with neat rows of tightly controlled flowers, but just few....

my style is cottage garden, english/french look rambling,lots of climbing roses....lavender, hollly hocks wild flower seeds and so on...loads of solar fairy lights...clematis evry where i can get it. i love my garden .

theirs is ....more tightly controlled ordinary garden.

The first thing i did in the garden was get rid of the concrete path and put gravel in,they probably have not even noticed their concrete path...

[diddl]

Just go & tell the workmen that your fence is staying.

What are they intending to put up?( on their side?)

[diddl]

It sounds as if they don't like your taste either, so then the only way is to each have your own fence, isn't it?

[MrsKoala]

Slave your garden sounds lovely - just my taste too. You'l' have to just take a deep breath and say no i think. But do it now.

[IamSlave]

Yes i get that diddl I get that!!!

I understand that and they can see the whole othr side is painted!

[CouthyMow]

FFS, just grow some balls!

It's YOUR boundary fence. If you don't want it replaced, you can tell them you do NOT give them permission to remove your fence.

Tell them (in writing as well as verbally) that you ONLY agree to the replacement fence on the condition that you are able to paint your side go the fence.

If that is not agreeable to them, then they do not have permission to remove your current fencing.

They have the options of putting up their fence on THEIR side of the boundary, leaving your fence in situ, OR allowing you to paint your side of the fence OR not replacing the fence at all.

Just fucking TELL THEM!!