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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Garden Fence woes

53 replies

Motnight · 18/05/2021 16:45

Our neighbour's fence separating our gardens has needed replacing for at least 10 years. We have been really patient with them, offering them half of the money etc even though it is definitely their fence to replace and we have gradually lost around 18 inches of the width of the garden as the fence has fallen inwards.

The neighbours told us last summer that they would replace the fence within the next few weeks, and we cut back our bushes as much as we could to help with the work. It was then cancelled by the neighbours as they had run out of money. Again we offered to pay half, but it wasn't accepted.

Nothing more happened until now. We got a text on Monday saying that the fence was being replaced. Really short notice but absolutely fine. We texted back saying thanks for letting us know, could care be taken with our plants.

Some workmen then turned up, tore down the fence, butchering our plants in the process, and left after 2 hours. We texted them yesterday saying our plants have been destroyed, it's really disappointing, but had no reply to that. We've just received another text however from our neighbour saying that the guys were cowboys and have run off with her money. She is going to carry on with the work but we have to bear with her as she can't afford it at the moment.

Our gardens are both uninhabitable. They are quite small London gardens so there is absolutely no privacy. There's no fence. Some of the plants and bushes have literally been hacked at the base. They will die. Her garden to be fair is even worse, as all the panels are in it.

I don't know how reasonable it is for us to carry on bearing with her and for how long.

To add to it all I don't think that the neighbours like us, but not sure why. They are always quite short with us and look like they would rather do anything else than say hello! We don't want to start any wars with them, but they have effectively caused our garden to become unusable .

Any advice please?

OP posts:
Original poster
Motnight · 18/05/2021 16:46

Have asked for this to be moved to AIBU 😂

OP posts:
LIZS · 18/05/2021 16:48

If you can afford it put up a fence inside the boundary. There is no obligation to have a fence though so you could wait a while longer for her to do so.

MIC2689 · 18/05/2021 17:30

I think if it bothers you so much (as it would me!) you just pay for the fence yourself and get the work done yourself.

HilaryBriss · 18/05/2021 17:40

How does no fence mean that your garden is uninhabitable and unusable Confused

There is no legal requirement to have a fence so your neighbour doesn't have to replace it if she doesn't want to. You can always put your own up though.

Original poster
Motnight · 19/05/2021 06:33

Thanks for the responses. We can just about afford it, so looks like we will have to pay.

HilaryBliss - yes, for us, the garden can't be used. I feel really uncomfortable being out there in full view of the neighbours with no fence between us. Others might feel differently of course!

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 19/05/2021 06:36

There was absolutely nothing to stop you putting up yout own fence, on yout own side instead of complaining to her for years. If she doesn’t have the money and she’s been ripped off that’s devastating for her, try to have some empathy.

yoyo1234 · 19/05/2021 06:43

Just place a fence (that is yours) on your land just within the boundary .

megletthesecond · 19/05/2021 06:45

I'd put a fence inside your boundary. I had to do this. I lost 6" of garden (and spent over 1k) but the peace of having a robust fence is bliss.

Original poster
Motnight · 19/05/2021 06:52

Bluntness100, where did you get the idea that I have complained to the neighbour for years? We have spoken about it 3 times. 2 of those times she actually started the conversation.

Please don't make things up.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 19/05/2021 06:55

It was really the impression your op gave talking about ten years, offering to pay etc,

Anyway, the point remains, she has no legal obligation to provide a fence and if you want one put your own up. You have no entitlement here.

donquixotedelamancha · 19/05/2021 07:18

How does no fence mean that your garden is uninhabitable and unusable

OP is from London. If the fence is down her neighbours might speak to her or anything.

BullOx · 19/05/2021 07:27

@Bluntness100

It was really the impression your op gave talking about ten years, offering to pay etc,

Anyway, the point remains, she has no legal obligation to provide a fence and if you want one put your own up. You have no entitlement here.

Yep, got the same impression as Bluntness on this too.
R188ons · 19/05/2021 07:30

I understand OP. We had an almost identical situation with our neighbours - their fence fell down whenever there was a slight breeze, right next to our kitchen window, which felt very awkward. We offered to pay half etc, and in the end just put up our own fence - it's the only way.

Pinkylemons · 19/05/2021 08:05

We had the same. It was literally 5 fence panels so we just left theirs in situ and put a new fence in front of it. We lost a few inches of garden but I knew they’d never replace it and I’ve got dogs that could get out.

IheartJKR · 19/05/2021 08:11

Op, your neighbours have a duty to provide and pay for a fence. I think most of us, if we’re being reasonable would concede that we would all prefer a fence between our gardens.
If your neighbour is really struggling as it appears she is at this point, then I would just bite the bullet and pay for it to get replaced.
It’s quite possible your neighbour has been awkward with you because she’s embarrassed.
If you replace the fence at least you can make sure it’s a decent fence!

Bluntness100 · 19/05/2021 08:13

Op, your neighbours have a duty to provide and pay for a fence

No they don’t, you can’t just make stuff up and post it. 😂😂😂

IheartJKR · 19/05/2021 08:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

mainsfed · 19/05/2021 08:28

OP, they're not legally obliged to replace the fence, but I would just hang on a bit longer. It sounds like they WANT you to replace it!

Give it a few weeks, don't mention it!

If it's still not fixed in a few weeks time, then think about getting it done yourself.

LIZS · 19/05/2021 08:29

There is no "duty" to have a fence. Or hedge. The only obligation to do so is to prevent dogs etc from straying.

IheartJKR · 19/05/2021 08:33

Duty. Obligation. Responsibility. Obligation.

Either way, my point is that there was a fence, they had a fence, it is not unreasonable of op to expect the fence be replaced...... but if it won’t be replaced for whatever reason - pay for one yourself.

mainsfed · 19/05/2021 08:40

Duty. Obligation. Responsibility. Obligation.

None of these are things when it comes to fences.

IheartJKR · 19/05/2021 08:47

@mainsfed

It’s impossible to have a reasonable discussion with people who wilfully and deliberately misinterpret what you’re saying.

Good luck op - I hope you get your worries resolved Flowers

mainsfed · 19/05/2021 08:55

It's not about being reasonable or unreasonable, I just don't want to give OP the false hope that they have a duty to replace the fence!

3Britnee · 19/05/2021 08:57

@Motnight

Thanks for the responses. We can just about afford it, so looks like we will have to pay.

HilaryBliss - yes, for us, the garden can't be used. I feel really uncomfortable being out there in full view of the neighbours with no fence between us. Others might feel differently of course!

It can be used, you just don't want to use it.

From the tone of the op, I really couldn't fathom why they don't like you op 🤔

MintMatchmaker · 19/05/2021 09:01

Unfortunately they could choose to never replace the fence and there’s nothing you can do to make them.

As PP have suggested, you can put up your own fence inside the boundary. If you are minded to do that though it may be better to tell your neighbours that you’ll pay for the replacement. With their agreement it can then be placed on the boundary line rather than you losing a few inches of your garden.

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