To find this presumptuous

[Muddleofpud]

We had a note through the door today from a neighbour whose garden backs onto ours. She has decided that she wants some fence panels replaced that run across the end of her garden but runs across the side of our patio. The fence is on our land and therefore our responsibility, but she has offered to pay the cost of replacement as it’s her that wants it done. I have no real problem with this apart from the fact that we some fairly well established plants growing on our side which may get damaged but it’s workable. What has annoyed me though is that she’s already booked in the work for this week whilst we’re both at work which I wouldn’t be happy about, and also asked us if we’d like to contribute financially, which we absolutely cannot afford right now. texted her this afternoon to address the concerns I have, tell her we can’t contribute moneywise, and ask if she’d potentially reschedule the work, but she’s not responding. I’m worried she’ll just go ahead with it either way whilst we’re not in. Can she do this?

No no no no no.

Send a text and take round a letter saying you've taken advice and you do not agree to any work being done on your land and your fence must remain untouched.

No no no no no.

Very presumptuous, and I like your use of the word

Why are you even considering this? No! Just no! She is telling you that she is putting something she wants, for her benefit, or your land? Telling you not even asking you? How on earth do you think that is reasonable? If she gets away with that then what next? She changes your curtains as she prefers a different pattern to look at? Maybe she repaints your front door to something she prefers? Can't you see how ridiculous this request is!?

We’ve recently had fencing replaced and even with the best will, the flower beds were badly damaged. I would say no to her. Remember if you dislike the fence once it’s in, or there turns out to be something wrong with it, you will be solely responsible for replacing or repairing it. The fact she has already booked it and isn’t responding would ring alarm bells for me. I would say no and that if she (or someone on her behalf) touches it, it’s a criminal matter.

On the plants front, I agree, we lost a lovely rose when ours was done, they didn't expect it happen but it had to go.

If she does this, are you sure she can’t shift the boundaries and/or give you the worse side of the fence?

You need to be crystal clear that you do not give permission for this. She’ll effectively be moving her boundary back onto your land, and the last thing you want is any kind of boundary dispute.

She can put her own fence inside her own boundary.

Ok Thankyou all, I hadn’t considered a lot of these issues and I’m glad I came on here for some unbiased opinions. DH and I have just discussed it and we’re thinking that we’d be ok with a basic replacement of the wood panels, like for like, but nothing else. We can manage the plants from our side whilst it’s happening, but the whole aspect of concrete bits etc is a bit of a pisstake. Definitely needs a face to face conversation ASAP.

@FlouncerInDenial

Very presumptuous, and I like your use of the word

Thanks

Just. Say. No.

Nope nope nope. We just put up a new fence and it would have destroyed any plants on the other side. Luckily, the other side is a pebble access path.

@Muddleofpud

Ok Thankyou all, I hadn’t considered a lot of these issues and I’m glad I came on here for some unbiased opinions. DH and I have just discussed it and we’re thinking that we’d be ok with a basic replacement of the wood panels, like for like, but nothing else. We can manage the plants from our side whilst it’s happening, but the whole aspect of concrete bits etc is a bit of a pisstake. Definitely needs a face to face conversation ASAP.

By concrete do you just mean gravel boards?

We had this type of fence put in recently. The concrete isn't poured on site, they use concrete slabs for want of a better word. The only concrete that is poured on site is the concrete to set the posts. There was quite a bit of digging though if I remember right.

@Elsewyre, yes I think that’s what she’s suggesting. I’m not very knowledgeable about this stuff, does that make a difference?

Did I read it right that it's her end fence and part of your side fence? So you will end up with a side fence that has a non-matching section in the middle somewhere? That can be really annoying depending on how different it is to the rest.

My parents lived one in from the corner and had 4 neighbours down one side. One of them decided to replace their wooden fences with metal monstrosities (which iirc they also tried to justify as swimming pool fencing when it should have been separate to abide by local laws). Looks really silly.

Presumably she's been getting quotes from people and telling them that it's her fence? Do you know who is installing the new one? I'd be contacting them and being extremely fucking clear that this is your fence on your land and you have not given permission. You may even want to mention trespassing and criminal damage.

This is way beyond presumptuous and actually illegal on her part.

Before you clarified, people were presuming digging and concreting in posts was involved. However new panels etc are just being slotted between the existing posts. I don’t see what can be damaged as long as they’re careful not to trap your plants as they’re putting the gravel boards and fence in. You’re getting a foc fence upgrade. I would let her proceed.

@Pythonesque

Did I read it right that it's her end fence and part of your side fence? So you will end up with a side fence that has a non-matching section in the middle somewhere? That can be really annoying depending on how different it is to the rest.

My parents lived one in from the corner and had 4 neighbours down one side. One of them decided to replace their wooden fences with metal monstrosities (which iirc they also tried to justify as swimming pool fencing when it should have been separate to abide by local laws). Looks really silly.

You read it right yes, but the fenced part down the side of our garden is only at the end of her garden, and runs the length of our patio. At the end of the fencing is a hedge which runs the remainder of our garden, so it’s only her part where there are fence panels.

So she's been getting quotes done, and telling people that it's her fence? Do you know who is doing the work? I think you need to contact them directly and make it completely clear that this is not her land or her fence and they do not have permission to trespass on your property or destroy the fence.

She's not cheeky, she's breaking the law.

For those who would let it proceed.

What if OP wants to change the fence, does she have to negotiate with her neighbours as they bought it?

What if OP sells the house and has to explain that although she owns the boundary fence, it's not her fence?

What if the neighbour hates the fence, and replaces it without notice (which would be easier for them, seeing as they own this one)?

What if OP hates the new fence?

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Her land, her fence - muddying the water, presumptively, without any legal fall back position is really risky.

Just tell her no , if she’s not in put a note through the door . If she wants a new fence she needs to put it on her side and leave yours in place .

@Mummyoflittledragon

Before you clarified, people were presuming digging and concreting in posts was involved. However new panels etc are just being slotted between the existing posts. I don’t see what can be damaged as long as they’re careful not to trap your plants as they’re putting the gravel boards and fence in. You’re getting a foc fence upgrade. I would let her proceed.

I don’t have any experience of what the installation of gravel boards consists of, hence why I am asking for advice. I have no issue with a replacement of like for like wooden panels, but I do feel slightly aggrieved that decisions have been taken about my property on my land and arrangements made regarding this without any kind of consultation or permission. Yes, a new shiny fence that I don’t pay for is very tempting, but since it’s on our side of the boundary it will be permanently our responsibility, and as there’s nothing wrong with the current fence, I don’t see why I should have to take that risk, just so her garden is aesthetically pleasing to her.

@MyNameForToday1980, thanks for this..

Tell her she can do what she wants within her boundary but your fence & land is not to be touched, and if any damage is caused then it is paid for by her. You do not agree any access to workmen via your side. Put this in writing and get her to sign & date it. And as suggested above take photos in daylight tomorrow for reference as to how it is now.

Personally I would be taking the day off work to make sure my property boundary wasn't affected. You could then also speak to the workmen before they started, making them aware the current fence is yours and is staying put.

@Mummyoflittledragon

Before you clarified, people were presuming digging and concreting in posts was involved. However new panels etc are just being slotted between the existing posts. I don’t see what can be damaged as long as they’re careful not to trap your plants as they’re putting the gravel boards and fence in. You’re getting a foc fence upgrade. I would let her proceed.

No, I was presuming exactly what the OP has clarified would happen and it destroyed our flower beds when our fence was replaced around three months ago.