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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To replace the hedge with a fence - Neighbour issues

64 replies

cocoblu · 16/09/2016 12:36

We moved into our house May last year, we are slowly decorating to how we want it, the only issue is the garden. We are mid terrace, neighbours on the right as you face the house have a lovely high hedge 6ft, no issues. Neighbour on other side is another matter, the hedge on this side is about 4ft high. This may not be exact but I am 5ft and I can see over the hedge and it's about chest height so may be a little more. Dh and I want our privacy and have been trying to grow the hedge upwards but neighbour keeps cutting it back (he comes into our garden to do it when we are both at work) we have had a number of issues with this neighbour (in his late 70s but active) washing regularly gets marked due to him spraying his garden, he had previously requested our neighbour cut his hedge back so his wife could look over the garden, neighbour refused and they haven't spoken since. We have had parkng issues with him and him putting a bedstead hurdle at the back of both our house "to prevent burglars" Aibu to have the hedge taken out and replaced with a 6ft high fence and not discuss it with him? (Hedge roots are on our side of the boundary)

OP posts:
Nocabbageinmyeye · 16/09/2016 12:40

He comes into your garden and cuts the hedge while your not there Shock Have you not told him to stop??

THirdEeye · 16/09/2016 12:43

Do you own that side?

PJBanana · 16/09/2016 12:43

I would either do what you have suggested, or just put a 6ft fence along the hedge on your side.

Do you not have a gate you can lock to prevent him accessing your garden when you're out?! Shock

BorpBorpBorp · 16/09/2016 12:45

Do it, absolutely. Getting a nice high fence put up to block out the neighbours was the best thing we did to our house.

MaddyHatter · 16/09/2016 12:46

find out which boundary is legally yours before you do anything. If the hedge is on your property, tell him what you're going to do.

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 16/09/2016 12:47

It depends whether you own that boundary or not- you need to check deeds. If it's yours you can do what you like

Bluebolt · 16/09/2016 12:49

Whatever action you take is going to end badly, go with the option that is best for you. Just remember to keep to your boundary line.

whywonthedgehogssharethehedge · 16/09/2016 12:53

Check if that side is your boundary. If it is replace the fence and when he asks smile sweetly and say "it's our boundary and we prefer it this way as it doesn't need cutting all the time"

Shezza71 · 16/09/2016 12:54

Agree, check deeds if it is indeed yours and you want to remove and replace it with a fence do so, just tell neighbour you are going to have some work done on the garden he sounds like he will kick up a fuss if you completely remove the hedge, depends if you are willing to go into battle alternatively add a fence alongside the bush. Our previous house owners added a much higher fence alongside the neighbours 5ft one which has started to fall down after recent storms slowly losing our privacy.

VioletBam · 16/09/2016 13:04

Yes if you don't own it, there may be an issue and you won't be able to add a fence instead.

VioletBam · 16/09/2016 13:07

If it is not yours I suppose you could add a fence on your own land a foot or so from his hedge.

Original poster
cocoblu · 16/09/2016 13:08

Thanks for the responses,

Yes, he does come into the garden, Dh had strong words with him about it but he can't see what our problem is as the old neighbours didn't mind,
Hedge is defiantly our side but am going to double check the deeds,
Neighbour only leaves the house on a Tuesday and Saturday so it's hard for us as we are at work so am concerned about him causing trouble for whoever does the fence
I am concerned that he will create trouble with rest of the neighbours on the road as he has lived there for 50 odd years and treats it like it's his road! He thinks we are lazy as we have our food shopping delivered!

OP posts:
dudsville · 16/09/2016 13:08

Do get a fence. You can let him know you're doing it if you want to make a nod toward good neighborliness but he can't stop you and I would do this myself for my own sanity too!

dudsville · 16/09/2016 13:10

Just read your latest post. Take time off when the fence is being put in. Warn whomever does the work that there may be neighbour trouble and make sure they are prepared for that - but it is your responsibility to make sure they are able to work.

beginnersewer · 16/09/2016 13:16

I sympathise with you re the neighbour, it does sound like a difficult situation - he probably thinks he's doing you a favour by cutting the hedge for you...
However if you can find a way to keep the hedge (perhaps by putting up a fence next to it) the wildlife will be grateful - a fence won't provide the same habitat.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 16/09/2016 13:17

It might mean making your garden smaller, but there is no reason why you can't put a 6 foot fence on your side of the hedge.

Palomb · 16/09/2016 13:21

Shame to remove the hedge really but in your situation I'd have to install a fence. I probably wouldn't tell the neighbour before just make sure you have the deeds ready for when he comes round and blows his top.

Remember you need to do it between now and early late Feb/early March otherwise you'll likely have birds nesting in it.

SoupDragon · 16/09/2016 13:22

If the hedge is yours, spray large parts of it with weed killer and tell your neighbour that, as it is dying, you will be replacing it with a fence. Of course, if it's yours, there is no need for all that but it does make it look like the decision has been forced upon you :)

OhTheRoses · 16/09/2016 13:25

The bit I'm struggling with is your need for privacy in the garden when you live in a terraced house. I'd have thought a 4/5 foot hedge was more than adequate and more foul impact light and make a narrow garden seem even narrower.

He's overstepping the mark but I think I'd nurture an elderly gentleman who cut my hedge for me and probably kept an eye out vis security too.

A lot of elderly people think shopping delivery is lazy. My mum does and my MIL remembers when only well to do people had their shopping delivered.

DisgruntledGoat · 16/09/2016 13:26

If it were me I think I would leave the hedge in place and just put the fence up on my side. It might mean losing a bit of garden but they'd keep their hedge and you'd get your privacy. Also he'd have no reason to come into garden then.

Youremywifenow · 16/09/2016 13:28

Another one saying put up the fence along the boundary line. If it's your hedge then you can do what you like. He will probably go batshit but there's nothing he can do and sounds like it will be a blessing if he stops talking to you.

We did this and the garden feels much bigger. I've planted fruit trees along the fence. Our neighbour didn't have territorial-hedge-control-issues though.

BluishSky · 16/09/2016 13:28

Put it up, but speak to him.

Say it's for security - for him as well.

Make it seem like a favour to him and tell him the benefits (no hedge cutting needed etc,)

Keep him inside, then it's all done pleasantly.

blueturtle6 · 16/09/2016 13:29

Rather than weed killer, use stump killer at the base, cut a notch in stalk first

blueturtle6 · 16/09/2016 13:29

Also yanbu

RiverTam · 16/09/2016 13:30

I would remove the hedge and install a fence. I value my privacy over good relations with unpleasant neighbours!

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