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?