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!

[IamSlave]

no these are old neighbours i am just buidling myself up to it.

i dont like they way they have gone about it.

i dont want to fall out but its one of those awkard situs where its me suffering a new fence, its me who is tyring not to fall out,its me who is having to be confrontational becuase they wont budge

[IamSlave]

i amdaling with scraming baby here alos

[whichdidyouchoose]

It's so hysterical living so close to other people

[giraffesCantMakeResolutions]

goodness I thought this was an old thread! This happened years ago - cant remember the outcome

[CSIJanner]

Right - if they remove your fence, then their property is squatting on your land. Just pop in a note

Dear Mr & Mrs X

further to our discussions over the fence.

As you have denied permission to paint my side of the new proposed fence, I must regretfully decline permission for you to remove my fence from my boundary as it will not be in keeping with my garden. Also, in reply to your previous enquiry, I am unable due to financial circumstances unable to replace the current fence. This does not however mean that you can not erect a fence on your own property. As stated before, as long as the proposed fence is within council guidelines for height, I have no objection.

Many thanks and kindest regards.

IamSlave

Print, insert names and hand to them if needs be, via the contractor. Jobs a jolly one.

[AlfAlf]

They are being completely unreasonable.
You like your fence just the way it is! Even if they were 'letting' you paint the new fence, they'd still be costing you money.

Tell them not to change an inch of your fence, if they want a shiny new fence they can do it inside their own boundary leaving your fence intact.

We didn't like the crumbly concrete wall on one side of our garden, the wall is property of our landlord neighbour so we didn't touch it, but built our own wooden fence inside on own property. This is what they should do.

[IamSlave]

OK

Thanks

I have been round, nearly in tears and feeling very very far out of my comfort zone.

I said I am very very worried about the fence, its my sanctuary out there and I am very worried about the colour of the fence ( tears in eyes)...esp if their putting more of it...I said I am happy with any type or height of fence...but just let me paint my side

They were nice about it and said they are only going to do certain sections...( i think they have pulled back after this am I was saying i want to paint the fence) .

So they are replacing a few panels, turning a few round so when i paint there is less chance of a drip...

but i left feeling that whatever they put up, I will paint it. its their choice to take the drip risk.


Massive thanks to the wonderful advice....


often you need a few good phrases to focus on,going round ones head in these situations...to focus on before going into battle.


PHEW.

[IamSlave]

goodness I thought this was an old thread! This happened years ago - cant remember the outcome

This isnt an old thread.... but lots of fence issues come up on here

[landrover]

I think that we have all come to the conclusion that you have to make a decision, carrying on, on here is not helping you! I think that the poster who suggested you buy trellis and paint it has an excellent compromise !

(yes I know you said that you couldn't afford it, so you may have to do a bit at a time) then everybody is happy and you also get a brand new fence free of charge xx

[IamSlave]

x post land

I have made my feelings very clear,I did not say who owns fence or boundaries but I have said I really want to paint fence.

[landrover]

Sorry x posted, well done OP !!!!!! Sounds like your neighbours were reasonable too xxxx

[IamSlave]

alf

exactly!!! its just not on our priority list right now,the current fence was my project to paint this year...it would be a 2.5 l paint pot if that....

a whole new fence...would cost alot of money to paint.

anyway hopefully its sorted.

[CaptainTripps]

I really don't understand this preciousness about painting fences a particular colour. Why is colour more important than having a shiny new fence? Shiny new fences do weather down to a nice natural silver grey colour over time.

This ^^. Wetaugust puts is brilliantly.

Just let them do the new fences. IMO the benefit of the neighbours bearing the full brunt of the cost outweighs the colour issue. Are you mad, woman??

[diddl]

So are they taking your fence down or not??

Or you are going to paint where it shows above yours?

[diddl]

I also agree ith wetaugust.

The person in this house before us had put up chicken wire.

Not that does look bloody awful!

Next door obviously hated it & have put up a lovely fence, which we could never have afforded, but get the benefit of!

[IamSlave]

captain

You can understand though that one mans meat is another mans poison.

I mean a chelsea gardener wouldn't go into a show,and try and win a gold by being casual about his garden boundaries.

a grey fence to me is miserable and depressing.

I can get that they like a new fence look. but they should get to me its miserable and suburban and horrible.

flowers get lost against it and it doesnt look nice!

[IamSlave]

diddl we have some new panels ( replaced by us) that they are going to fiddle with and turn around and put up one new panel thus far.

I have made my thoughts on painting the panels, and any new panels crystal clear and should any new fence go up it will be painted by me and shouldn't come, after today's conversation as a surprise to them and legally, I think I would be within my rights too.

[holidaysarenice]

If it is on ur side of the boundary it stays, their side it goes. Smack in the middle, check the deeds, not who owns it but who is responsible.

Also if its in disrepair then they can force you to improve it. Costing a lot more.

[Rooners]

I hve decided to go with a 10 foot wall after reading this.

[holidaysarenice]

If you paint their property without having paid for it. It is criminal damage. Not within ur rights.

[kilmuir]

Stand your ground. Why can't your DH deal with them if you feel unable to?
People tend to treat you how you allow them to.

[IamSlave]

Its all sorted now ( i hope)

holiday

it is within my rights, they can pay for a fence but if it remains on my boundary they are gifting that fence to me....it remains my property.

Kilimur - i agree...

[LackingEnergy]

There's a garden disputes forum that's quite good for info.

But I'm fairly sure that if you paint their fence without permission they can make you replace it as you've technically damaged their property

[diddl]

I don't think that you can paint a fence that they put up on their property, even if it shows above yours.

Or nail anything to it tbh.