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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:
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7
OddBoots · 27/01/2018 14:25

As long as you have not encroached on her land you can leave them as they are but if that is the case you will have given yourself a slightly smaller garden by the dept of the posts so after however many years it is then it could be argued that the land becomes their land. If the posts are on her land them obviously you need to move them, there is no doubt there.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/01/2018 14:26

It is ABSOLUTELY NOT A LAW to have the pretty side face outwards. It is just a convention.

I've just had my fence replaced, listed building, conservation area... my neighbour has the posts on her side. There is no law!

And no, my neighbour isn't bothered, just happy that we now have a nice strong fence.

Anymajordude · 27/01/2018 14:27

I've a diploma in garden design. The convention is to have the good side facing the neighbours if it's your fence. I've no idea if by-law are different in different places but that is the usual way of doing things.

Tistheseason17 · 27/01/2018 14:27

OP, YANBU.
No law unless you've gone into their land.
Enjoy the lovely fence you paid for. Your NDN will get over it!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/01/2018 14:27

Oh yes! With the caveat in ^^ above about the posts!

chocatoo · 27/01/2018 14:27

My Dad was surprised when his neighbour asked for the ugly side as it's better for him to attach his bean poles to!

Original poster
FelicityMorange · 27/01/2018 14:28

The houses are ex-council and have concrete posts so the panels just slide in. The panels we replaced faced inwards, the same way as we've just replaced.

OP posts:
PositivelyPERF · 27/01/2018 14:29

Amy all those gardening makeover people, on tv, must be ignoring garden convention, as they ALWAYS have the new fencing facing the homeowner.

Knittedfairies · 27/01/2018 14:29

If you've just replaced the panels in exactly the same way as they were in before, why is the neighbour getting bent out of shape about it?

BoomBoomsCousin · 27/01/2018 14:29

Posts should face you in large part because it is much harder to maintain a fence when you don’t have access to them.

PositivelyPERF · 27/01/2018 14:30

Sorry any not Amy.

pallisers · 27/01/2018 14:30

It used to be a custom that the nice side faced out. which never really made sense to me as the neighbour is getting a free fence. But I guess does make sense if the fence can be seen from the street - you want the nice side visible.

Where I am that is changing - builder tells me the nice side usually faces in now.

MarvelMummy13 · 27/01/2018 14:30

Actually we've just gone through this with our new fence being installed. I was just curious which side we would get I didn't mind tbh. The contractor has told me that whoever pays for the fence has the nice side its how they're instructed to do it and If she wanted the nice side then by all means she can pay towards the fence.

retirednow · 27/01/2018 14:30

You've replaced like for like and paid for it, she can complain but doubt there's anything she can do about it.

Hullygully · 27/01/2018 14:31

Ah, if you were replacing like for like then just tell her so.

Papergirl1968 · 27/01/2018 14:31

Another fence question: I’ve always painted fence panels green, whether they were mine or not. I mean the side facing my garden. When my neighbour replaced some fencing I mentioned that I planned to do this and he said he would rather I didn’t as the colour seeps through the gaps. So now part of the fence is green and part the natural colour. Who is in the right here?

ShastaTrinity · 27/01/2018 14:31

you just have to hope your fence is good quality, and paint won't come through the gaps if the neighbour decide to paint their side.

BoomBoomsCousin · 27/01/2018 14:31

If the old panels used to face you, are you sure it was your fence to replace?

MarvelMummy13 · 27/01/2018 14:32

Oh and also who waits til its nearly done she had 4 hrs to confront you and now she's demanding the good side after not lifting a finger. She could have at least helped. So basically she wants the good side with no cost and no effort ..I say 'jog on'

Mookatron · 27/01/2018 14:32

I would make it clear I would not be spending another 4 hours turning the posts round, but I might buy them a cheapo climbing plant to cover the fence their side, IF I was concerned about neighbourly relations (and they are important, I know this from experience).

She should've said before or during!!

StealthPolarBear · 27/01/2018 14:33

Sounds like it might have been her fence...
I knew about the convention but had never considered fences to have a pretty side :)

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/01/2018 14:33

Your neighbour, if it is their fence!

SparklySeaShell · 27/01/2018 14:33

Well I never! I always thought he person who pays gets the nice side!

BulletFox · 27/01/2018 14:34

The things you learn on MN...I was never aware there was fence etiquette of this nature.

Felicity just have a cup of tea and rest up after your fence work for now.

HolyMountain · 27/01/2018 14:34

Aren’t they the same both sides?Confused

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