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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not acquiesce to neighbour's request?

390 replies

FelicityMorange · 27/01/2018 14:03

We spent this morning installing a new fence in our front garden. After 4 hours of back-breaking labour, I was sweeping up when our neighbour comes out and says she's not happy because we've got the 'nicer' side of the fence facing our way and not hers. She actually wanted us to turn each panel round so the flat side was facing her garden.

I thought she was joking at first so sort of laughed it off but no, she was being serious. I just muttered something about 'speaking to my husband' and went indoors.

Have I made a misstep in neighbourly etiquette or something?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
lookingforthecorkscrew · 27/01/2018 14:04

You generally have the posts etc facing you, tbh.

Myddognearlyatethedeliveryman · 27/01/2018 14:06

Ask her for half the money and you will turn alternate panels around for her!

ZeroFuchsGiven · 27/01/2018 14:06

I'm pretty sure the correct way is to have the nice side facing outwards tbh.

Angrybird345 · 27/01/2018 14:06

Your fence panels, your choice! No longer do you have to have the “bad” side in your side.

PandaPieForTea · 27/01/2018 14:06

Normally the fence owner has the less attractive side - probably because the fence posts stick out, so you’d have to have them on your side in order for the fence to sit on the boundary. But I don’t think there’s any obligation as long as it doesn’t cross the boundary.

TheQueenOfWands · 27/01/2018 14:07

Yes, the unpretty side should face you. It's kind of an unwritten rule.

I only know because my mother told me, I wouldn't actually care.

If I was your neighbour I'd be thrilled with the new, sturdy fence. How much time is she really going to spend looking at it?

OliviaBenson · 27/01/2018 14:07

Have the panels whichever way you want. CF!!

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 27/01/2018 14:07

She's right, though.

MyOtherProfile · 27/01/2018 14:07

Surely if you pay for it you get the nice side?

MrsExpo · 27/01/2018 14:07

Actually, I think she's right. I always thought you had the posts on your side and "good' side facing the neighbour. Think it depends on who owns the boundary. (Prepared to be told I'm wrong ......)

PoisonousSmurf · 27/01/2018 14:08

Your ND is right. The posts and the ugly side should go in your garden. Did she pay for half of it as well? If she did then that's what she paid for.
If not, then you'll have to be diplomatic.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 27/01/2018 14:08

She is correct, if it's your fence the posts go on your side

Cornettoninja · 27/01/2018 14:08

I've never given it much thought never having put a fence up but I think it is posts your side - they should stick out into your land itswim?

lookingforthecorkscrew · 27/01/2018 14:08

Everyone who says OP is in the right here, go outside and look at your own fences! Right side deffo faces out!

Bitchywaitress · 27/01/2018 14:09

Tell her to put up her own fence and the two unattractive sides can face each other!

But she is right.

pilates · 27/01/2018 14:09

You are supposed to give your neighbours the nice side when erecting a fence so I am told. My neighbour didn’t so we did the same on the other side.

FemaleDilbert · 27/01/2018 14:09

It’s up to you, there is no ‘law’

goodbeans · 27/01/2018 14:10

Yep, she is right I’m afraid. But it would have been more helpful of her to tell you before you’d finished though, wouldn’t it?

Angrybird345 · 27/01/2018 14:11

You choose what side to have fence panels on, so why would you pay for a fence and give a neighbour the better side???

AmysTiara · 27/01/2018 14:11

The neighbour is right sorry.

BBTHREE76 · 27/01/2018 14:12

Why would you pay and not have the better side in your garden. 😳. We replaced all the fencing last year and neighbours didn’t contribute and we didn’t really expect them to. It was our choice to replace it and we have got the better side

FixItUpChappie · 27/01/2018 14:12

It may be the norm but it's not her right to have the nice side and to insist you change it.

BakedBeans47 · 27/01/2018 14:12

I have never heard this in my life. Why would you pay for a fence to be put up on your own property at your own expense and have it more attractive to the neighbour than yourself?

MazDazzle · 27/01/2018 14:12

Your choice.

BarryTheKestrel · 27/01/2018 14:13

As long as the posts haven't crossed the boundary its irrelevant. We put a fence up on our side of a low wall as neighbours were incredibly nosy. We had the nice side facing in as both sides of the fence were inside our boundary so why shouldn't we get to enjoy the nice side of the fence we paid for?