To put up my own fence parallel to my neighbour’s?

[Naithnira]

My neighbour’s house is directly opposite mine, about 30ft apart (each garden is 15ft), separated by a fence with 1 inch wide gaps between the boards. I feel really exposed and there’s no privacy indoors or outdoors because you can see through the gaps.

The fence belongs to them so I can’t nail on extra boards to cover the gaps. I’ve bought some big (expensive) plants hoping to cover the gaps, but they aren’t growing fast enough and don’t do the job in winter when they lose their leaves. Plus the neighbour has painted their side of the fence and the amount of paint that’s come through the gaps all over my plants and spring flowers is ridiculous.

AIBU to put up my own solid fence just inside theirs? It would cover the gaps and prevent them splashing paint or anything else all over my plants. DH thinks they’ll be annoyed because the shadow falls on their side - the current fence gaps let light through and a solid fence would be a solid shadow. Maybe that’s why they didn’t put up a solid fence in the first place? But I’m just sick of having no privacy, our dogs barking at each other, and their general anti social behaviour.

It's on your land if you want to put a fence up, do. They didn't care if you were bothered by the gaps in their choice of fence or the paint splashes, but ultimately they have no say anyway as if your fence is on your land your entitled to do what you like.

If they're not worried about splashing paint on your plants then you shouldn't be worried about blocking some of their light. With the added issue of the dogs barking at each other, I'd definitely do it.

The fence was there before I bought the house 😬

DH thinks it’s rude to come along and just block off their gaps, turning an area of dappled sun/shade into solid shade. Personally I don’t give a shit. Not only have they put paint on my plants, they’ve also screwed something to the fence and left 2 inch screws poking through my side with no regard for my safety.

Just be careful In case their fence is yo let wind threw. We have one with gaps as solid ones kept blowing over no matter how deep the uprights were sunk.

The fences on the other two sides are solid and we’ve had no problems with wind. So I’m guessing the reason for the gaps is to avoid fully shading their garden.

I’ve had to lean a paving slab against the fence to cover the screws poking through at knee height. I wanted to saw the screws off level with the fence but DH doesn’t want to start a war with them. They have covered my paving slab in paint too.

Its rude to block their view into your garden?
You would not be unreasonable to put you own fence

What about bamboo screening as a compromise if your dh doesnt want to upset them.

Would bamboo or willow screening fixed on posts work? It'd be cheaper and less destructive to your planting.

Your other neighbours will probably be glad not to have the dogs winding each other up too.

It's actually more common than you think to do what you are doing especially to neighbours you share a back fence with. Most people don't talk to their neighbours behind them as they live on a different road.

No just do it. Put a good, solid, decent height fence and forget about them. If they grumble say it was because of the paint on your plants, the big screw sticking out and the dogs barking at each other. Perfectly reasonable reasons even individually!

Oh god I hope you aren’t talking about us. 🤣 the set up and garden size sound very similar but I haven’t painted our fence so it can’t be!

We are in the same situation. I feel like putting up a wide shed at the back of the garden for some privacy (at fence height so morning extremely tall or anything) But can’t afford it!

Have thought about abamboo type of thing? We did that on our fence years ago. Not for privacy at the time but DS would put things through the fence to our neighbour (innocent things like stones, toys etc but annoying). It worked really well and does give more privacy. It all got weathered and fell down now though!

Don't think twice about this, put up the fence

What are you all doing in your gardens that you don't want people to see?

When I moved in there were chain link fences and a few bushes separating gardens. I put a six foot wooden panel fence all the way round for privacy. It’s all my fence. One neighbour is very good they took the chain link down and paint the fence their side, they did ask first, the others have just left the chain link up

Yes put a fence up, they don’t even live on your street so not even neighbours.

Our old fence was a solid one and kept being blown over by the wind so we replaced it with one with alternating slats either side of the posts, they overlap (so no gaps to see through) but allow the wind through. Sounds like your neighbours have been cheapskates and just done one side of this!

Definitely no issue with you putting your own fence up.

Your DH sounds like a bit of a wet lettuce about the whole thing, just do it.

Slept bamboo screening ?

Split 😂

Save yourself the money and buy bamboo or grass role out screen its really cheap at Band M

I’ve got a picket style fence for my front garden. It’s to stop it getting blown down in a storm. Works really well. But for a private back garden I can see the problem. How about a picket fence with your slats across the gaps of theirs?

I'd just go for better planting and save some money.

Put some posts in and attach reed fencing on your side.

Put the fence up! Your property; your business! Absolutely nothing to do with them!