Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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

OP posts:

Turquiose · 03/01/2020 19:28

Not worth falling out over. Some people are just a bit laid back about these things. Once you fall out there's no going back.

Commonwasher · 03/01/2020 19:30

The idea to borrow/foster/hound-sit a dog which routinely ‘escapes’ into their garden (and s**ts on their lawn) would doubtless ensure the fence was fixed without delay.....

GoldfishRampage · 03/01/2020 19:32

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

This. It’s their fence and they can do what they like with it. You can ask them to fix it but they don’t have to. Have you checked your deeds for any clauses that say they have to maintain their fence. If not it’s pointless getting mad about this.

GoldfishRampage · 03/01/2020 19:33

There are a lot of posters on this thread who are giving incorrect advice.

GoldfishRampage · 03/01/2020 19:38

81% of posters Don’t know what they are talking about by the looks of the poll. 😂😂

GiveHerHellFromUs · 03/01/2020 19:39

@GoldfishRampage considering you've just asked what the deeds say you have no idea whether you're actually right or not either

Waveysnail · 03/01/2020 19:41

Get quotes yourself and tell them the cost and you want the money

Inthemuckheap · 03/01/2020 19:44

Just paint the windows with black paint so you're not overlooked.

BTW there is no such thing as a "ver naice housing estate"

GoldfishRampage · 03/01/2020 19:48

GiveHerHellFromUs

I know enough to agree with the quote I quoted! and I know enough to know that people suggesting the OP send quotes or get the work done and send the bill are talking bollux. 😎
Generally unless there is something to the contrary in the deeds or a covenant or something similar then the owner of the fence can do whatever they like. The OP can erect her own fence on her side of the boundary if she likes but she can’t tell the neighbour what to do with his fence.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 03/01/2020 19:51

@GoldfishRampage yeah sending quotes or a bill is stupid and won't get anyone anywhere, but DH has spoken to the neighbours who say they'll get the fence sorted so offering to sort a quote for the neighbours is completely reasonable suggestion.

I don't think most posters are making the daft suggestions and you saying 81% of people don't know what they're talking about is a bit bizarre

WhenOneDoorClosesAnotherOpens · 03/01/2020 19:56

I would look for fencing contractors OP and get quotes. Quotes for their 3 panels and also quotes to install your own fence on the boundary. Give them the quotes and installer details and dates they are available to install the three missing panels and say you've been very reasonable in trying to work with them since April and enough is enough. If they don't get their fence panels replaced in X number of weeks that you and DH will install your own 2m height fence on the boundary.

GoldfishRampage · 03/01/2020 20:00

I don't think most posters are making the daft suggestions and you saying 81% of people don't know what they're talking about is a bit bizarre

Yeah, fair enough. It’s not clear what the AIBU is. Regardless the majority of posters appear to think the neighbour is obliged to replace the fence. When he is most likely not required to. There is nothing wrong with the OP politely asking her neighbour to replace the fence but it’s up to him what he does (unless deeds or covenant or whatever says differently)

manicmij · 03/01/2020 20:44

As the side of the garage seems to be screening you from next door they probably don't care. Can't figure how they have windows in side of garage overlooking you. Being a naice place, do you have any conditions attached to the Deeds as they will identify what can be done when failure to maintain the fences happens. As you know which fence is which you have to have something that told you. My naice area is 10 years old and has this covered in Conditions. Otherwise get the quotes, say you understand the problem they are having so to help out you have the quotes. Keep copies in case they say they lost them when nothing is done. Hope they see sense and get the fence fixed.

Jack80 · 03/01/2020 21:08

Either get quotes and give them to the neighbours or get the fence done yourselves and not say anymore to them than hello when you see them.

Dancinginthedark10 · 03/01/2020 21:16

If it bothers you that much build your own fence. It's their fence, they can fix it or nut fix it but they are certainly under no obligation to you to fix it. And I say this whilst being in exactly the same position. The neighbours fence blew over in heavy winds. It's not been fixed, it's annoying. But I accept that if I want control over this kind of thing I need to build my own fence or chill out. I'm choosing to chill out, life's too short to be building walls

Dancinginthedark10 · 03/01/2020 21:22

And I'm really not sure what the house prices have to do with anything? Other than an opportunity to boast how is this relevant?

mylifestory · 03/01/2020 21:37

If the windows are overlooking yr garden go and cover them up like a fence we do bt make it very ugly it wd get a reaction

Candymay · 03/01/2020 21:44

I can’t see where the 700k fits in. Was waiting to find out. Incidentally, my neighbour hasn’t got a proper front door. Housing estate. Quite nice. 500k.

womenspeakout · 03/01/2020 22:11

It's the lower-middle classes who are trying to be something they're not who do this.

BINGO

niugboo · 03/01/2020 23:30

@Yeahnah2020 actually they don’t have to repair it. No obligation to at all.

niugboo · 03/01/2020 23:39

You’re basically stuffed.

It’s their fence. They are under no obligation to fix it. If you get it fixed not only do they not have to pay you back but they can report you for touching their property. It’s their fence. If you build your own you will need to ensure it doesn’t damage their existing fence.

Re value of property. Totally irrelevant. We’ve just had an extension on a much higher value property and here’s the shocker. Like most we have a mortgage. And now a load of debt from extension. We don’t have cash lying around. And what we do have lying around definitely wouldn’t be going on a fence.

Gbtch · 03/01/2020 23:52

We had a neighbour who did this. Built right up to the boundary with windows facing And therefore overlooking our n. I painted the glass.

tttigress · 03/01/2020 23:59

Just a side point, just because they have a £700k house doesn't mean they aren't financially stretched to the limit.

I know people who buy flash cars, and then really struggle to make the payments for example.

gumpforestgump · 04/01/2020 00:53

Hi OP!

I actually think the windows in their garage are your saving point to sorting this. Can you look up plans online and confirm if approved?
Windows on our buildings are usually ok and permitted if they don’t overlook neighbours. Now the fence has gone, that’s broken. Have a look at the approved plans/ permitted development rules and confirm with council Monday. I suspect they’d need to make them obscured glass and non opening if not maintaining the fence. that may kick then to address the issue!

Good luck

MrsFezziwig · 04/01/2020 01:22

You're right that 'VER' and 'NAICE' are just made up words, and people think they're being original and oh-so-hilarious saying them. People often say these silly made-up words, as a sly, underhand way of stealth bragging, and letting us all know that they live in a 'fancy' area.

Everyone I know who is PROPER rich - and/or upper class - and lives in a nice, big, expensive house, NEVER mentions their wealth or the price of their house. Indeed, it's classed as vulgar and crass to do so.

It's the lower-middle classes who are trying to be something they're not who do this. They think they are more special and worthy, (and that people will like them more,) if they spout about how much their house is worth, and that they they earn six figures (because they ALWAYS do.)

Really @TigerOnATrain? A thread about a fence dispute and you’ve bothered to write three boringly long paragraphs about your views on OP’s supposed lack of class (while mentioning what all your rich acquaintances do, because obviously that’s not bragging at all)

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8