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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think my neighbours are being unfair?

190 replies

TouYube · 02/01/2020 01:17

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...Wink) but I’d rather they just bloody fixed it.

OP posts:
citychick · 02/01/2020 04:27

If you do wish to put up your own boundary, just make sure it's within the boundary lines.

I wouldn't start irritating them over boundary issues if you ever want / get a fence put back up. By them.

Good advice to check with local council about what's expected/ legal etc.

Oceanbliss · 02/01/2020 04:28

Some nice ideas in this article I've linked. Fwiw Yanbu but sometimes you've got to find ways to make your life easier and getting into a struggle with stubborn neighbors can become very stressful. You don't want to become a doormat so I understand you would want to stand your ground but in the meantime do something that makes you not have to see that gap in the fence. Even if it's only to preserve your house and garden being your own sanctuary to relax in and enjoy.

yourhouseandgarden.com/17-privacy-screen-ideas-thatll-keep-your-neighbors-from-snooping/

GiveHerHellFromUs · 02/01/2020 04:32

They've put windows in, they have no intention of replacing the fence.

I also agree to sending the whores round. That'll learn 'em.

mokapot · 02/01/2020 04:35

Nah whores will sort this out Grin

Shedidnt · 02/01/2020 04:36

The only solution is the whores.

Stillfunny · 02/01/2020 04:48

Or take a hint from the article and do this...

to think my neighbours are being unfair?
Yeahnah2020 · 02/01/2020 05:39

Actually they do have to repair it. Tell them to fix it in one month or you’ll send them the bill for it. If it went to small claims they would lose.

PrettyPurse · 02/01/2020 05:46

So if the fence panels were there, the window would look directly at the fence?

JolieOBrien · 02/01/2020 05:49

@TouYube

Why don't you replace the panels and then adopt the fence as yours? We have done this with our neighbour because they could not afford to replace their fence and we could.

atsasnuffothat · 02/01/2020 06:37

There are restrictions in Building Regulations regarding "unprotected areas" (ie windows) and their proximity to boundaries. This is due to fire safety and the spread of fire to neighbouring properties. The whole thing is complicated and depends on the distance of the new building to the boundary and the angle the building is built at relative to the boundary etc. But from memory, if the building is less than a metre from the boundary then the maximum window area allowed is 1 square metre... Personally I'd speak to the local council for clarification

MiniGuinness · 02/01/2020 06:39

How is it relevant that you live on a ver naice housing estate? shudder. No one gives a shit if you live in a £700k house 🙄 or on the Nyerere estate. Just fix it yourself and stop being so petty.

Oysterbabe · 02/01/2020 06:42

I'm team whores.

SteeperThanHell · 02/01/2020 06:45

I would just order the replacement panels and pop them in myself if it’s annoying you that much - not sure why you needs quotes and trades people for a fence panel.

drivingtofrance · 02/01/2020 06:56

I wouldn't be happy with their garage windows overlooking your garden.

Maybe contact the Local Authority planning department and find out what, if anything, should be done.

Angie6868 · 02/01/2020 06:59

The fact that you live in a nice area and houses cost circa £700k is completely irrelevant

PlumsGalore · 02/01/2020 07:02

@miniguiness I thought that.

So people who don’t live in naice estates with houses of a lesser value are less entitled to a ship shape fence?

OTOH, I need to see pictures. If the garage is up to the boundary why does it need a fence. If it’s just within the boundary then they should fix it if it is now overhanging your boundary.

Finally, the window would be the thing that gets me. That’s permanent, the fence isn’t.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 02/01/2020 07:06

How is it relevant that you live on a ver naice housing estate? shudder. No one gives a shit if you live in a £700k house 🙄

^this. I know people who live in £500k houses in Essex that you could get for £120k where I live.

NoParticularPattern · 02/01/2020 07:10

I think it’s unlikely that they are obligated to have a fence even if they are required to maintain a boundary. As previously said on this thread a boundary does not require a solid structure to be classed as “maintained”. So long as they don’t have pets that are escaping or are attempting to use your garden as their own then they can reasonably state that the boundary is maintained without the need for any sort of fence or other demarcation. If you want a fence and they don’t, then likely the quickest route is going to be to erect your own fence as close as possible to the boundary whilst still remaining on your own land. So long as there are no local covenants preventing it you can go up to 2m without requiring planning and have whatever sort of fence you desire.

Joans3rddaughter · 02/01/2020 07:13

Have you got it in writing who is responsible for each boundary? Don't presume anything. There is nothing in law that states automatic responsibility. Yor neighbour has no intention of paying. If you want it put right you are going to have to pay. Take the opportunity to have the fence you prefer, style , height etc. Keep the receipt. Tell them in writing , in advance. Keep any related documentation or a record of no response for future reference. Get on with it then get over it. Life is too short.

Shedidnt · 02/01/2020 07:15

I suspect the OP thinks the relevance is that they can afford to replace the fence or whores

TW2013 · 02/01/2020 07:18

How is it relevant that you live on a ver naice housing estate?

Obviously neither OP or her neighbours can now afford to get their own whores so want the other one to pay for them.

boredboredboredboredbored · 02/01/2020 07:21

@MiniGuinness My thoughts too....does owning a 700k house give you more manners? Clearly not. I'll stick with my sub standard house with lovely neighbours ta Hmm

RedHelenB · 02/01/2020 07:25

Maybe if you could get a quote and someone to do the work they may ge happy to pay for it. With me its ofthe that sonething lihe that would be a " I must get round to sorting that" but it would be lie on my list of priorities.

RedHelenB · 02/01/2020 07:25

Low on my list of priorities

brassbrass · 02/01/2020 07:30

Sending quotes isn't going to spur them into action. They're clearly not interested or bothered.

You should just erect your own fence and stop engaging them.

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