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AIBU?

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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
cambodianfoxhound · 29/01/2018 06:10

Surely the nice side should face outwards. It would be like putting on a new front door and have the exterior side facing inwards. Or like wearing your coat inside out. But then on the other hand what about curtains?? We have the nice side facing inwards. I really don't know the correct answer I am sorry.

brotherphil · 29/01/2018 06:26

My understanding is that the usual presumption - if for example there is a question about precisely where a boundary lies - is that the posts are driven in on the boundary, and that the panels (if they are fixed to the posts rather than inserted into them) are fixed to your side.
It's your fence; if your neighbour wants it to look prettier, she could always (subject to any boundary wall agreements or conditions in leases, etc) fix her own onto her side of your posts.

billybagpuss · 29/01/2018 06:37

I love how people have posted links to the law on the gov page which says ‘there is no law about what you put up’ yet they’re still convinced the neighbours are right.

They’re not, OP paid she can do what she wants.

Jobjobjob · 29/01/2018 06:41

NRTFF but my understanding was that the nice side faced out so that it was smooth and the rails couldn't be used to climb over into your garden. This making you more burglar proof.

Having said that it's not law, if I were to me erecting a fence now, I would put nice side my way and let the dog take care of the burglar!!

People staying here it's jaw is Grin

Jobjobjob · 29/01/2018 06:42

Or even law Grin

SoupDragon · 29/01/2018 06:55

making you more burglar proof.

Except they can just climb over from your other neighbour who has the rails on their side.

WilyMinx · 29/01/2018 07:01

You need the ugly side to face you as that needs treatment to stop it going rotten.

This makes most sense to me.

ImTheMary · 29/01/2018 07:08

Definitely no law about which side goes where. In fact, you're not even obligated to HAVE a fence on the boundary if it's just a normal garden (ie you're not keeping livestock, next to a railway, etc). As long as you're not encroaching on your neighbours side of the boundary you can have the nice panels on your side.

As for treating it, your neighbour should allow you access to the other side of the fence to treat. There's usually something in your deeds saying you have right of access to make good your property. If they refuse you can usually get a judge to insist. That's all getting a bit crazy, but just making the point that if it's your boundary and your fence you can do what you damn well like!

MyOtherProfile · 29/01/2018 07:14

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.

And the link to that law is... oh wait...

steff13 · 29/01/2018 07:21

But you're not giving her the nice side, facing the nice side out adds to the asthetic of your house. Like planting flowers in your yard.

Jobjobjob · 29/01/2018 07:24

Except they can just climb over from your other neighbour who has the rails on their side*

Obviously! Didn't say it was logical just said that's what I understood!!

Kattya · 29/01/2018 07:29

We have just moved to a new build. And if it’s our responsibility part of the fence we see the nice side

SoupDragon · 29/01/2018 07:35

You need the ugly side to face you as that needs treatment to stop it going rotten.

Whereas the pretty side is made from magical non rotting timber...?

Snugglepiggy · 29/01/2018 07:43

I haven't time to read back but think I saw someone ask why should OP have even discussed putting up a new fence ? Why .because it's common courtesy and tbh probably why loads of boundary issues escalate.It may not be law but in every house we've lived in we've chatted to our neighbours and got an idea of how amenable or not they are to us replacing fencing /hedging etc.My immediate thought on reading the OP was did you go round and talk to your neighbour.We would have done.Even if she wasn't thrilled to be presented with the post side if the fence she may not have objected if you had chatted before hand.And in the grand scheme of things I'd rather have the posts on my side of the fence,within days you'd barely even register them as the fence weathers in,and plant some lovely stuff and have good relations with my neighbours.I hate all this we've paid so stuff everyone else attitude.It's not the law,it's the usual cordial way of doing fencing though ,and has been for ages.

XmasInTintagel · 29/01/2018 07:43

then the law assumes the owner is the side with the struts and posts.

Seriously? The law assumes things, but it's not written down anywhere?? Hmm.

THERE IS NO UK LAW ABOUT WHICH WAY ROUND FENCES GO, AND NO LEGAL MEANING TO WHICH SIDES THE POSTS ARE ON. SAYING ITS THE LAW OR 'HOW YOU DO IT' DOES NOT MAKE IT SO.

Cookie37 · 29/01/2018 08:07

You replaced them as they were before at your own expense - I wouldn’t worry any more about it. If you want good neighbourly relations, maybe buy her a climbing plant to put in next to the fence her side to help hide it ? Russian vine grows madly and quickly Grin and will soon be overtaking everything in sight

meg54 · 29/01/2018 08:23

The reason traditionally people have the fence posts on their side of the boundary is quite simple.
The first thing to rot and need replacing are the fence posts, the bit that
sits in the ground. These are much easier to replace and maintain if they are on the owners side.
There is no obligation (legal or otherwise) for the owner to have the 'nice' side facing out.

Shadow666 · 29/01/2018 08:34

I assume it’s for stength too. To stop the wind blowing the fence inwards. The post side will be stronger.

SoupDragon · 29/01/2018 08:46

So the fence just blows out rather than in.

RedRobin87 · 29/01/2018 08:50

Why don't people seem to understand that there is no law on this!

I think years ago it was seen as being polite and courteous to give the neighbours the "nice" side but that isn't really the case now - it's whosever pays for the fence gets to decide!

Our house is a new build and the fence between our neighbours was a crappy lap board that swayed in the wind it was so thin. We asked our neighbours if they wanted to replace it, they didn't care or want to contribute so we replaced it with decent and expensive closed board fencing. It slides down between concrete posts so no issue of encroaching on their land - so there was no way we were paying out money and giving them the good side!

BadLad · 29/01/2018 08:51

Had a quick scan of the thread - hope nobody else has posted this.

To not acquiesce to neighbour's request?
BadLad · 29/01/2018 08:52

Had a quick scan of the thread - hope nobody else has posted this.

To not acquiesce to neighbour's request?
PositivelyPERF · 29/01/2018 08:56

Oh, I’m so going to use that comment on my dickhead neighbors, BadLad 😆

Geordie1944 · 29/01/2018 08:56

Point out that if the neighbour had installed the fence correctly [according to her and nearly everyone above] then she would have had the fence posts on her side. Which is what she has got now, so what is her problem?

ShatnersWig · 29/01/2018 08:57

Christ there's some bollocks being spouted on this thread.