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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to do the job properly?

34 replies

Dinosaurusmumnus · 19/09/2019 18:24

A couple of panels between us and next door have blown out. They were rotten anyway, and the whole fence is coming to the end of its life. The boundary between us is secure because our shed is in front of the gap, and we want to replace the whole fence properly, which means we haven’t done it yet.

Next door keep asking when it’s going to be fixed and the answer is I don’t know because we want to do it properly. Their boundary line is now the side of our shed with windows in.

AIBU not to get it fixed soon?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 19/09/2019 18:57

To add, next door are complaining that it’s taking too long.

OP posts:
Lovethetimeyouhave · 19/09/2019 22:29

They probably just want their privacy back. Get on with it

dollydaydream114 · 19/09/2019 22:35

They probably just want their privacy back. Get on with it

If they want their privacy back before the OP is ready to fix the fence they can put their own fence up on their side of the boundary line.

The OP is under no legal obligation to have a fence at all. You don’t have to put a barrier of any kind along the boundary of your property.

Also, the OP says her shed fills the gap so unless she spends all day standing in the shed peering out of the windows at them, their privacy is unaffected.

Pumpkintopf · 19/09/2019 23:58

Could you not just fix the gap properly and then fix the rest properly when funds allow?

Alternatively could you explain why you are waiting to do the job to your ndn so they understand your thinking?

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 10:31

If we just replaced the two missing panels then they wouldn’t match the rest of the fence. Admittedly it doesnt look great and it’s the side of our shed with windows in that’s forming the boundary. We did get someone out to look at it a few months ago but they were busy for ages and then another company we rang didn’t show up.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 20/09/2019 10:36

It's fine to do it properly. It's not fine to not do it at all. And you're not doing it at all.

So get it sorted.

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 11:24

I suppose it appears that way doesn’t it? Next door have mentioned it a few times and have sent the details of several local firms too so they’re being a bit pushy about it though. We thought we might get it done over summer but with one thing and another, didn’t and now they’re going on about it, hinting we have left it for too long.

OP posts:
HilaryBriss · 20/09/2019 11:55

It is fine to not do anything at all. If the neighbours want a fence on the boundary then they are perfectly entitled to put their own up. You do not have to replace your panels and could even take the rest of the fence down if you wanted to.

Somerandompersons · 20/09/2019 11:56

Hang on.... They sent you names of companies? CFers! If they're so desperate to get it done they can pay for it themselves?

Have you asked them to go halves on the repair? I would.

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 13:32

It’s our fence on our boundary line so we wouldn’t ask them to pay. It’s quite a close boundary, between 2 houses on an estate.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 20/09/2019 13:48

The thing is op, you need to be honest with them.

If you're not going to get it done any time soon, then tell them. Own it. But don't keep pretending you're going to do it, when in reality you've no real plans to do so, you haven't even got quotes in. They can then put their own fence up.

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 14:05

Well we have told them that we will do it, but that we want to do it properly. That’s all.

OP posts:
flipperdoda · 20/09/2019 14:10

How long has this been the situation?

Fweakout · 20/09/2019 14:12

but you could do it properly within 4 weeks. Or do you mean you can't afford it right now?

Lazypuppy · 20/09/2019 14:13

I put YANBU but i'm changing to YABU as sounds like this has been going on for months??

YABVU, get the fence fixed, either replace it all or just patch job now, your poor neighbours, i'm not suprised they are suggesting companies. That must be so annoying from their side

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 14:14

It broke at the end of April. To refit the whole fence would be expensive but I don’t want to replace just the broken bit.

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 20/09/2019 14:14

Well it all depends on the timescale. Two months is reasonable. Two years not so much.

Lazypuppy · 20/09/2019 14:25

@Dinosaurusmumnus

It broke at the end of April.

🤦‍♀️Yep you are the CF in this situation.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 20/09/2019 14:30

Since April seems like a long time. I think a timescale would help them.

Countrylifeornot · 20/09/2019 14:41

OP let them know that you can't afford it, and give them an idea of when you may be able to afford it. They can then decide whether to put their own fence up or not. Stop being controlling by not telling them anything.

HuntIdeas · 20/09/2019 14:50

April! You definitely need to get on with getting it sorted. Surely you could have looked up some fences and emailed a couple of people for quotes in the time you have spent on this thread

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 14:52

We are not being controlling, but we don’t want a bad job done and anyway if people don’t turn up then that’s hardly our fault is it? I’m not saying I can’t afford it, I don’t think they’d believe that anyway, it’s a v smart area.

OP posts:
Travis1 · 20/09/2019 14:58

If the garden is secure and boundary clearly identified then you don't need to replace it at all unless you want to and when you want to. If it bothers them so much they can put something up on their own end.

Original poster
Dinosaurusmumnus · 20/09/2019 16:16

Yes I just need to stop worrying about it and ignore the fence leaflets. I think the wife next door gave me a look and I’d rather we didn’t fall out but that’s up to her.

OP posts:
chuttypicks · 20/09/2019 16:52

Tell them that you can't afford to do it at the moment, but could afford to go halves with them if it's that urgent....