Neighbours- fencegate

[bentleydrummle]

We have recently moved to new build estate and the house next door to us has just become occupied. I dropped a card off when they arrived although it was surly teen who answered door so not much chat, and we have briefly waved, said hello while coming and going but haven't got to know them much more than that.

They have spray painted their fence and there are now spatters of paint all over our side of The fence and other stuff in our garden- it is on on bbq, solar lights, bench, compost bin and newly planted trees.

I really really hate confrontation and don't want to cause bad blood between us and neighbours but it is very careless of them to do this isn't it?! If they had let us know we could have moved some stuff out of the way?

Wwyd? Wibu to speak to them?!

Tell them! The instructions with those things are quit eclear about having to be careful with overspray!

Ask them what they used to get rid of the spatters in their garden, as you now need to use something in yours! And tut, loudly!

Obviously I eoul speak to someone who in some way damaged my stuff.
Why wouldn't you?

No need to tut or confrontation, just simply tell them they sprayed over to yours and the stuff needs to be cleaned so to tell you what they used to clean their stuff and to let you know next time so you can move things away.

Normal communication.

I would speak to them about it.

I would speak to them - not sure what the point of a loud tut would be.

I'm sure they won't have done it deliberately, but they doesn't mean that they shouldn't help with the clean up.

@SycamoreGap

I would speak to them - not sure what the point of a loud tut would be.

I'm sure they won't have done it deliberately, but they doesn't mean that they shouldn't help with the clean up.

A loud tut becasue, as I said, the instructions that come with them do mention what to do abou tthe garden on the other side of the fence!

So they did do it on purpose as they purposefully chose not to do anything to prevent overspray in OPs garden.

Can you guess who has used one of these spray systems recently?

The tut only applies if you are both British.

You've got to mention it though, as PP said it's made very clear there will be splashes.
Mention it before they do the front fence and your car gets Pollocked.

You need to think about what result you want from the discussion first. Do you want them to apologise, pay, what? You need to be clear.

My neighbours told us and it still covered everything, ruined a gazebo cover, splattered the patio and windowsills.

Ultimately i was happy to absorb the cost on the gazebo as it was temporary and the patio was going to be changed.

Are you going to sell your bbq, lights, bench etc at the end of their use or can you write it off as annoying but not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

The tut only applies if you are both British. True! It doesn't always translate

The tut only applies if you are both British.

😂

But what do you hope to achieve?

Our neighbour once did the same. It was really annoying as out laundry was on the line at the time, it caused about £100 of damage as none of it was useable. I did speak to the neighbour and just got told that they'd tell me if they were doing it again, no apology and no compensation. I was really annoyed and told them so but other than take them to small claims court, what is there to do?

Do people really tut. I grew out of that when I was about 12!

I would be more receptive to a sensible conversation than childish tutting.

And I still doubt that it was done on purpose - nobody is realistically going to go out of their way to spray their neighbours garden.

I would tell them but with the emphasis being on don’t do it again as opposed to expecting them to rectify the damage . Our previous neighbours did the same when I was out once and when I got home I’d got paint on my patio , patio table / chairs , rabbit hutch and indeed the rabbit who was out hopping about . Some people are just inconsiderate and do whatever suits them without any thought to how it affects others .

Tell them and Ask them to come round and give your a scrub with bleach in water. I just did my fences and thought I'd pushed card all the way under the fences but it was very funny and left marks on the neighbours side so I went round and scrubbed with bleach. It looks a bit better. They didn't mind anyway.

Runny not funny

Give your paving a scrub.

We had this and they just shrugged and said it was worse their side and will wash off, it's still on my slabs 2 years later.
Talk to them as they might not of finished and just say if going to do again can they warn you so you can protect your side.

No passive aggressive loud tutting. Explain/show the damage they've done and ask for more consideration.

Whose fence is it? If the fence is entirely theirs, there is no “your” side. But drops of paint in your barbecue etc would be annoying.

I think this is just one of those things you let go. You could say if they’re going to paint anything else, could they let you know.

This same thing happened to us, we were in the middle of renovating our garden so it didn't actually matter too much as they only got paint on the mound of dug up dirt and a few paving slabs and our back door. But when I told them they were absolutely mortified and so apologetic and offered to pay for any damages. The guy genuinely didn't realise he had done it!

I would definitely mention it. More so that it doesn't happen again, and end up on something that really matters! But if they are like my neighbours they'll then intentionally do it every week, just to piss you off! 🙄

It was an accident (I assume) so I would bear that in mind. However I would definitely say something. I agree with a PP who suggested you ask what they used to remove it. Let them know what they have done so it doesnt happen again. I would just request they let you know next time so you can move your things. Ask what they used and then If it doesnt come off then I would revisit the situation.

Our friend did this not realising it would go through the fence 🤦‍♀️. He cleaned up as best he could and brought neighbour some new plants

Telling people the results of their actions doesn't need to be confrontational, but they need to understand what they have done so they take care in the future. If it's stain and not paint it will probably wipe off - have you tried? Either way, I'd still let them know as their might be a second coat to come.

Our neighbours did this years ago. The fence had half inch gaps between the slats and they just sprayed the whole thing anyway. Our conservatory had browny-orange stripes all along one side.

We didn't say anything because the husband had a horrific temper and used to punch through walls.