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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is new neighbour a CF or AIBU?

39 replies

queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 15:46

We are in the middle of buying a house. When we first went to look around the house there was a slight query about where the boundary line in the garden was. House is being sold by a family friend of a deceased person who lives 700 miles away. We found out that part of the garden we thought may belong to us didn't which tbf was slightly disappointing but we quickly accepted it. The borderline was marked by a wire that was quite buried under plants and was confirmed by estate ageants also. Anyway, I've been back to the house today to measure something, to find the our new neighbor has erected a huge fence with a quite awful breeze block bottom - difficult to explain without a picture which I obviously don't want to add but the horrible breeze block bit is barely visible on their side and completely visible to us. They've removed the original wire fence so is this fence now the border line? Or is it fully theirs? I. E could I grow plants on it? Paint it? Could I even say anything??
I'm probably BU but this has actually put me off moving a bit 🙈 help!!

OP posts:
Darkbaptism · 19/02/2019 15:49

The deeds will tell you who owns that border. There’s nothing to stop you planting in front of it to cover it up.

TheInvestigator · 19/02/2019 15:50

If it's on their side of the boundary then you can't do anything to it (but most people wouldn't care if you grow plants as long as it doesn't damage it) but if they've put it directly onto of the boundary (so half the blocks would be on your property) then they'd really need permission to do that and you might be able to have it removed.

If it's completely on their side, then erect your own panels on your side to hide the horrible blocks.

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 15:50

I can understand the reason someone would want to do this before new neighbours move in but I still feel really annoyed 😕

Will I get deeds on completion or are those the ones you have to buy online??

OP posts:
Darkbaptism · 19/02/2019 15:51

You can buy them online for a couple of £s.

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 15:52

I didn't have a close enough inspection as didn't want to be spotted but wish I had now 🤦🏻‍♀

OP posts:
HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 19/02/2019 15:53

If it is on their side then they can put it up no matter what. If it is where the chicken wire was does that mean they have fenced it so you have more garden? It might not be pretty to look at but is it really worth the sale falling through?

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 15:53

I think I've seen those @darkbaptism but i worry it wouldn't be that clear as the line may cover the area we are looking at if that even makes sense

OP posts:
Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 15:54

Well the wire fence is definitely no longer there @headsdownthumbsupeveryone

OP posts:
Thiswayorthatway · 19/02/2019 15:55

It's a few quid to check
www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 19/02/2019 15:57

Anyway, I've been back to the house today to measure something, to find the our new neighbor has erected a huge fence with a quite awful breeze block bottom

This will be in place of what are known a 'gravel boards' they stop the wooden fence sitting on wet soil and rotting.

If they own the border, that is their fence and no you cant attach to it. If the fence is marginally on their land, no you cant attach to it.

If the border is yours, then you can 'demand' they put back the wire fence. But that would cause discord and leave you with the problem of putting in a proper fence. If they are daft enough to go to the expense, then let them.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 19/02/2019 15:58

So the original wire fence marked the boundary and that is where they have placed the fence.

I can see why they have done it if for years part of their garden has been thought to belong to the house you are buying. They don't want to face that confusion in future and its better to implement it now rather than after you move in.

I would maybe ask the neighbour who erected the fence if it is ok to grow plants up it or paint your side and see what they say. I'm not sure how they have been cheeky fuckers to be honest.

punishmepunisher · 19/02/2019 16:00

Can't you just plant some nice bushes in front of it?

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 16:01

Well you are making me feel a bit better, don't like the thought of having a problem with neighbours ☹️

I thought it was a little cheeky as they have done this when the house is totally empty even though they know that the house has sold yet, by the same token, I totally understand their thinking.

OP posts:
CantStopMeNow · 19/02/2019 16:05

I didn't have a close enough inspection as didn't want to be spotted but wish I had now....Will I get deeds on completion?
Are people always this dim when buying property?

Ask the sellers for a copy of the deeds or order them online yourself.
CHECK ALL boundaries and measure them so YOU know exactly what's what.
For all you know the CF neighbour has stolen some of your garden quite correctly assuming that you have no bloody idea of your garden boundary.

I suggest you do this asap and measure the bloody garden so you can sort out any cheekyfuckery before you hand over any money.
The seller will not want to get involved after you've bought the place, neighbour will claim they've always had use of that bit, and you'll have paid for land you've been cheated out of.

dirtystinkyrats · 19/02/2019 16:07

We bought a house where there had been a recent dispute over the fence. The supports for the huge fence are on our side of the boundary, and because they are concreted in with a tonne of concrete you cant get plants very close to cover it up effectively. However we have chosen to ignore it and buy a lovely house we otherwise couldn't afford.

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 16:08

@cantstopmenow that's a bit harsh 😂😂 we've been told by solicitors and estate agents that the boundary is there, I am going to look into the deeds but I worried the heavily highlighted line would make things difficult although if I am getting measurements on the deeds then yes we will, obviously go out and measure.

OP posts:
Dodie66 · 19/02/2019 16:11

Grow plants and put pots in front of it to cover it up.or you could get bamboo or reed screening like this one www.waltons.co.uk/bamboo-cane-screen-roll-18-x-4m?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7qn5z5fI4AIVRvhRCh1YVgsNEAkYCyABEgLPTPD_BwE

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 16:12

@cantstopmenow that was about 3 work men there erecting this massive fence, and if it is totally above board (which i don't know yet), I don't want to look like a twat as I really don't want to have problems with my neighbour - we wanted to live in this home long term.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 19/02/2019 16:13

Why are you not asking your solicitor? They should have the boundary documents and be able to clarify anything required. That's their job.

HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone · 19/02/2019 16:16

we've been told by solicitors and estate agents that the boundary is there

So the fence is 100% on their side of the correct boundary line?

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 16:19

Sorry, meant we have been told by estate agent not had any thing confirmed by our.solicitor yet!!

OP posts:
Juells · 19/02/2019 16:29

I don't want to look like a twat

That's how people lose chunks of their garden. Of course you have to examine the boundary. When a house is empty is exactly the time when NDNs decide to increase the size of their own garden, or build on the boundary line instead of inside it. Sort it before you part with cash.

Original poster
queenqueenqueen · 19/02/2019 16:34

Thanks, I plan to. I can understand wanting to do it while the place is empty but still think it's cheeky. We will definitely look into this before completing the sale and I havent come on Mumsnet for actual legal advice but just to have a moan really. Thanks for all the helpful advice 🙂🙂 xx

OP posts:
BrizzleMint · 19/02/2019 16:37

They have put up a fence on their land. Your problem is what precisely? Just plant something in front of it.

Juells · 19/02/2019 16:37

Hope you get it sorted out. I can understand why you don't want to start out on bad terms with your neighbour, but as a woman on my own I let things happen with neighbours, because of not wanting confrontation, that I bitterly regret because those things have had a longterm impact.