To be annoyed at back neighbours

[coconutwhip]

We live on a new build estate. We own the fence at the back of our garden. The neighbours behind moved in a month ago. They have two young boys who play football but kick it against the fence constantly (as does the dad!) anyway they split one of the fence panels. We didn't say anything as we have a 1 year old and can image that as he gets older we may have a few incidences like this (all be it we would tell him straight off for kicking it against the fence on purpose!)
I just went to let the dog out, I don't normally check before I do but I looked out as I opened the door to find a fence panel missing. Luckily she hadn't gone through the door yet but as their gate was also open she could've been in the road!
Turns out they have asked the developer to replace the panels of the fence but hadn't told us. It's great that they've decided to ask for it to be sorted but
A) as it's our fence surely we should've been consulted.
B) surely they should've let us know that the panels were coming down especially as we have a dog who goes out in the garden a lot?

AIBU to be annoyed by this for the above reasons?

Surely it would have been better to keep the split panel in place until it was replaced? Developers are very slow at that sort of thing. I would be worried about a dog too in those circumstances

@Lurkingforawhile the developer came out and took the panels down and apparently they don't also sort putting the panels back up and hopefully someone will be out this afternoon to do that

yes they should have told you, but they are doing the right thing by getting it fixed at least.

I would've gone ape shit if I let my dogs out and a fence panel was missing, as no doubt they would've wandered off and probably got hit by a car.

It's done now, but they definitely should've warned you OP.

We had similar once with our neighbours who took out all of the panels whilst we were out so they could paint their side. Needless to say, they're now screwed down to the concrete posts so they won't be doing it again!

@unchienandalusia

yes they should have told you, but they are doing the right thing by getting it fixed at least.

No, the right thing would have been for them not to be annoying twats by hitting the ball against the fence in the first place.

When it is fixed it might be worth planting a few climbers to protect the fence.
They should then be well established by the time your little one is kicking balls around with any force.

barnardfencing.co.uk/news/ivy-climbing-plants-fences/#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20material%20of,reducing%20maintenance%20of%20your%20fences.

I wouldn’t be happy either, can you approach them in a civil way saying you appreciate them having the fence repaired but if it happens again you’d be grateful if they left it in place until it’s repaired so your dog doesn’t escape. It’s an odd way of doing it, in the privacy and security sense too. Hopefully it’s fixed soon then consider having some bamboo across the back fence or climbers, if they do come loose again you have a bit of protection.

[quote msbevvy]When it is fixed it might be worth planting a few climbers to protect the fence.
They should then be well established by the time your little one is kicking balls around with any force.

barnardfencing.co.uk/news/ivy-climbing-plants-fences/#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20material%20of,reducing%20maintenance%20of%20your%20fences.[/quote]
Depends on the fence. If it's an intertwined one, the climbing plant will grow through it, the branches get wider and can destroy the fence panel in a few years. You need solid ones where the plant will attach itself to the face to grow rather than send branches through the gaps.

I think it is quite likely that they think it is their fence. Even if it is marked in the deeds, it might not have registered.

I would bite my tongue and "thank'" them for getting the damaged panel replaced for you and ask them not to kick balls against your fence any more as it caused so much damage in such a short time. There is no point is damaging relations. That should hopefully nip it in the bud and clarify ownership without falling out.

Just be grateful they don’t have a bloody big pond, like our side neighbours did when our son was just 2! Let him out the patio door into the garden, I went out shortly after and was shocked to see round the side of the house no fence panels!

Thanks all. As I say it's not that they've taken it upon themselves to change it it is just the letting us know which would've been appreciated!

They probably presumed it would all be done in one go, and might not know who owns the fence. I wouldn't be cross by this at all, yes they could have told you when it was going to be done etc. But perhaps they were embarrassed

I would double check they realise it's not their fence. All good and well they are attempting to fix it but they need to stop kicking against it if it isn't going to happen again.

Idiots. I assume they know you have a dog, I'd have gone mad.

When I was replacing the fences I knocked on next door to let him know to keep his dog in.

They definitely should have told you. My dog actually managed to get out once because the neighbour removed our fence, without telling us. It was only luck that she stayed on the road and didn’t run into it. We live off a very busy main road which people are always speeding down. I did knock up and they said they thought it was their fence.