to think my neighbours are being unfair?

[TouYube]

For background, and at the risk of sounding like a boast, we are on a ver naice housing estate, houses around the £700k mark. This is relevant.

There is a fence between us and next door. It’s their fence, we are responsible for the fence on the other side. They extended their garage backwards along the fence line. Three panels were damaged and despite loads of promises they never replaced them. So our boundary looks terrible, the garage has windows in it which overlook our garden while the fence panel isn’t there.

We have politely asked when they plan to fix it, they said they would but they couldn’t find anyone/tradesman didn’t turn up/getting more quotes.

Still not done. It pisses me off because I think we’ll why would anyone give up neighbourly goodwill etc for the sake of 3 panels? And say they were going to fix it and then not? They can’t see the panels but that doesn’t mean they’re not there! Argh!

DH is getting really cross about it and is muttering something about replacing the whole fence with max height panels (and sniper towers, search lights and razor wire...) but I’d rather they just bloody fixed it.

It sounds alike they won’t bother joe the shed is there .
If this were me I would just get it fixed myself, as it’s me that it is bothering .

I think that’s what they’re hoping we will do. But won’t say that, and keep promising to get it fixed. There is a lower fence along the boundary at the front which is a bit lower and I’m minded to replace the whole lot with 2m panels.

Ask them if they would have an issue with you finding a supplier and then them sending them the bill.
You need to be firm on this as unless you start asserting your rights, they will continue to ignore.

Just arrange three quotes yourselves and send them to the neighbours. Keep at them, they'll be hoping you forget about it.

What height are the windows in the garage, surely there’s building control policy on that that they’re potentially in a sticky wicket for. Research it and if they aren’t in line with building control I’d say you’d have the upper hand to go round and demand they replace the damaged fence or you’ll take advice from building control on effecting your own fence to the maximum height allowed. Make sure they understand that you’ll be explaining to building control exactly why you’re asking... in the nicest possible way of course. Hopefully that’ll put the shots up them and they’ll sort it out. (Personally I’d just put up my own fence inside your boundary and block the view from their windows anyway)

Anyone else getting adverts for ‘bespoke garden joinery’ on this thread? Aka fancy schmancy expensive fence panels with extra frippery on top? 😂

I agree with pp, get three written quotes yourself and give them to the ndn.

Yep. Three quotes in writing and then discuss with neighbours. It should focus their minds nicely.

An extra height fence is needed if you are paying - to block the light to the garage

Yep get whores and send them round.

QUOTES!
JFC.

'whores' I hope that's an autocorrect error

Sorry BanKittenHeels but that really made me snort. Oh, the picture I had in my head

They don’t have to replace it, they’ll probably wait until you offer to do it. (Hopefully not with whores )

If I were the neighbours I’d be mightily pissed off if you sent me quotes , they are obviously not bothered about the fence and you are so pay and have a new fence put up yourself on your boundary .

It's understandable that this has pissed you off.
I'd be mad also.
There's no need for you to replace their fence what so ever. But you need them on your side so that they'll do it. If you piss them off they'll never do it and your relationship with them will deteriorate.
You need to chat then up, unfortunately.

Get them to agree that it's unsightly, dangerous and devalues the property. Makes them look sloppy and noone likes to look sloppy,do they? A dangerous fence could cause future issues much larger than just looking unsightly. What if a burglar broke into their house? What if the council came round?

You need to make it sound like it will their property that will suffer. They clearly don't give a crap about yours.

Then ask them how they plan to protect their property ( and yours also)

Good luck!

Could you borrow an animal that kept escaping and pooping in their garden? It might give motivation to get the panels replaced.

I'd send in the whores OP

But no, it depends on how much of a financial burden it is I suppose. If you're so well off it is easier to just pay it and whack your own fences up then I'd do so to save the grief/painful interactions. It is probably worth trying once more with them though.

Get whores 😂😂

Maybe just put up some chickenwire and plant some climbing plants. Ornamental blackberries are very prickly. You can get some very fast growing climbers so at least you would have some privacy.

Just make the whores stand in a row facing the neighbours and blowing kisses that should sort it!

I like endofthelinefinally suggestion. Or you could buy a nice outdoor ornamental screen (I can't remember what they're called but seen them on gardening shows, sometimes made out of metal and sometimes bamboo) and secure it to the fence to cover the gap.

Unless you have A special clause In your deeds or some other authority that obligates them, the are not required to fix the fence. It’s their fence and they can pretty much do what they like with it, including leaving it in disrepair (assuming not dangerous). Maintaining a boundary does not require any sort of physical barrier.

Obviously you can try and persuade them, they may be susceptible to a bit of pressure but be aware they aren’t obliged to do anything and they might know that and just be trying to avoid telling you they have no intention of shelling out more money.

There may be an issue with the windows from the garage overlooking your property, I would ask the council if it violates your right to privacy or any conditions for permitted development (assuming garage is permitted development). If the council aren’t able to provide you with help you could ask the neighbours if they’d put up a film that obscures the view to maintain your privacy (and theirs). Otherwise, the way to control your boundary and have it the way you want it is to put up your own fence.

They aren’t going to want to put in a fence that blocks windows. Adding windows likely cost more than a plain wall so it had to be intentional.

I’d check your covenants. Are fences required? Did they violate set backs when they installed the building?