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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
Cindie943811A · 28/01/2018 21:19

I’ve always regarded this as a security issue — easier to scale a fence from the ledges side, also easier for kids to stand on a ledge and look over. I can’t say alive ever worried about how much better one side looks than another, except for when the fence faces a road or public footpath. Easier to fix trellis or lines to the posts for plants to grow up and I prefer to screen the fences altogether with attractive shrubs, climbing plants etc.
Legally there is no law re this, merely convention.

Emsylou110 · 28/01/2018 21:22

Yep, nice side faces neighbour. My neighbour put up new fence, paid for it & we have the posts/unpretty side would never complain v grateful for new fence

ShellyBoobs · 28/01/2018 21:23

Love this thread.

I cannot believe how many people have convinced themselves that fences have to face the neighbour.

It’s utter tripe, but is very funny to read!

If the fence is on your land, you can do whatever you fucking well like.

Don’t worry about it, OP.

Notfastjustfurious · 28/01/2018 21:37

14 pages on fences and who they should face! I can't wait til morning so I can check my fence etiquette, god help my neighbour if it's not right Grin

Cronaca66 · 28/01/2018 21:39

If it’s your boundary to maintain, neighbours get the better side.

KindredSpirit1 · 28/01/2018 21:42

Fences, appearance of: Must the smooth side of my neighbour's fence face towards me? My neighbour is in the process of erecting his new fence, and he has started putting it up so that the smooth side faces towards his own house. Is he allowed to do this?

There is no law that says the smooth side of the fence should face the neighbour.

If your neighbour pays for a fence that he erects on his own land (even if he builds the fence so that the outer face of it, as seen from his land, runs along the boundary) then he is entitled to choose the style and colour of the fence, as well as whether he places the smooth side of the fence to face in towards his own house or out to face your house.

www.boundary-problems.co.uk/boundary-problems/fences.html

YoniHuman · 28/01/2018 21:43

We replaced our back garden fence, our neighbours house is at a 90 degree angle to ours, that side of her house has no windows except a conservatory at the end. I can see the fence from my kitchen window, back door & lounge patio doors. Of course I put the nice side of the fence on my side - I paid for it.
Neighbour had no issue with it as long as the fence was still high enough to protect her privacy when she was in the conservatory.

Thiscantreallybehappening · 28/01/2018 21:44

Cronaca66 - please link to the law that says that

Petalflowers · 28/01/2018 21:56

There is no law!

Thiscantreallybehappening · 28/01/2018 21:59

Petalflowers - Exactly, so why are so many posters saying you have to give your neighbour the "nice" side? All these posters saying this never back it up with any evidence.

e4b4 · 28/01/2018 22:48

So, now I am majorly overthinking this whole thing!! Last year, my next door neighbour put up a new fence on both side and they have both the nice side facing in towards them. I have never really thought about it before! To be honest, I was more miffed that they took down a six foot fence, and put up a five foot fence, so they look over and say hello!

Thiscantreallybehappening · 28/01/2018 23:01

e4b4 - Was one of the fences they took down your fence? and if so did you agree to this?

They are entitled to replace their fence and change the height and have the "nice" side facing them. However, they can't take your fence down, unless you have agreed this and are happy for them to do it.

Ilovelblue · 28/01/2018 23:13

My neighbours wanted new fencing. There was nothing wrong with the existing fencing but the wife is a fussy so and so and it wasn't pretty enough for her, just functional. They were happy to pay for it and they had the best side facing them. I always presumed that would be the case and was just pleased it hadn't cost me anything.

XmasInTintagel · 28/01/2018 23:13

Yes, the unpretty side should face you. It's kind of an unwritten rule.
I'm amazed how many people feel they know all about the law about boundaries, but none if them can quote any source for it! If I don't know something for sure, I make that clear. Its a good thing its such an unimportant topic so no damage is likely, but please, if you're stating your personal view based on what your mum once said, don't state it as the legal position Hmm

HeckyPeck · 28/01/2018 23:24

I smell a DM article about troublesome erections on mumsnet

Skiiltan · 28/01/2018 23:32

I'm a bit baffled by some comments here. When you erect a fence you fix the posts in the ground then nail the panels to them. That means the panels face your way (i.e. towards the side from which they were attached) and the posts face the neighbour. The only way you can do it the other way round is to attach the panels from the neighbour's side, which would be a strange thing to do.

malmi · 28/01/2018 23:36

Skiiltan

That's not the type of fence the OP has, but in any case if you do it like you're describing you are either putting your fence posts on the neighbour's land or giving them some of your land. That's why you usually attach the panels from the outside onto the posts, so the fence runs along the boundary and the posts are on your property.

XmasInTintagel · 28/01/2018 23:59

malmi
You may usually do that, but there's no general rule, or evidence that most people do it.

My neighbours have put their fence up with posts my side, because they get the nice side - what that means is....

  • absolutely nothing! They can put it whichever way round they please.
malmi · 29/01/2018 00:07

XmasInTintagel

I don't normally do it, as I have never put a fence up in my life. I speak from observation that it is the usual way that things are done, for the reasons I outlined. It's not the law, but it is normal for the fence to be installed along the actual boundary line with no structure encroaching on the neighbour's land.

Jolinda · 29/01/2018 00:20

Unless it clearly states on your deeds that you are the fence owner (and it rarely does) then the law assumes the owner is the side with the struts and posts. Thus indicating that it is a long established practice that the "finished" or "pretty" side faces outwards, or in your case towards your neighbour.

ToftyAC · 29/01/2018 01:16

Was on a legal team doing this sort of stuff for years. So long as the fence is in the right place, that’s all that matters. End of, nothing more. For all those saying “ooo the neighbour is right”, no the neighbour is not and neither are those saying she is. Utter nonsense.

Abbylee · 29/01/2018 01:53

It was the town law for the pretty side out so we did every other board their side, our side.

Bouledeneige · 29/01/2018 02:07

Yes its usual to have it that the smooth side faces the neighbour. Because you will then get the nice side from your neighbour on the other side - since, in closely abutting houses, we all own only one of the boundary fences. So the real question is what have you been given by your neighbours on the other side. Have they treated you to the smooth side of the fence?

The fairness/kindness point is one which usually means you only have to pay for one boundary - and that by keeping up the unspoken rule, everyone gets one nice side of fence.

GeorgeW78 · 29/01/2018 02:33

It's the British way!

stayathomer · 29/01/2018 03:29

Thiscantreallybehappening How apt is your name for this post?! OP whichever way is right, you paid for and erected the fence.she can bitch privately but has no right to anything else! I'm mad on your behalf!!!

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