To be sick of the neighbours looking into our garden?

[Wannakisstheteacher]

Background: house is rented so fence cannot be changed.

We live in a semi. Garden fence between us is a chain link about waist high across 2/3 of the garden and a wooden 6ft fence for the other 1/3 closest to the house where the patios are. NDN have a table in the garden and eat there every night in the summer. AIBU to think it’s really fucking rude that they’ve pushed the table right up against the chain link part of the fence so they are sat there looking into our garden? Why would they not have their table on the patio where the wooden part is so we both have some privacy or at least not right up against the fence?!

It’s pathetic, I know. But I just hate going into the garden in the evening as they just sit there with their endless stream of guests, and watch everything we do. It’s just so awkward.

It's their garfen, they can eat where they like. Why can't the fence be changed on your side?

Where is the sun / shade?

Just stick up a cheap fence. I doubt your landlord comes out to inspect the property so don't tell him. I think it'd be worth the expense, that sounds really awkward!

Because they own the fence on that side. LL won’t give us permission to put panels on our side.

Would your landlord/lady really object if you put up a fence?

Crossed post. Have you asked? I’m surprised they care enough to say no.

Put your own table somewhere nearby and go and sit at it every time they do. At least then you're not doing anything that interesting and you might feel better if you're almost part of their group so their staringisn't obvious, iyswim.

Plus you never know, you might have some nice conversations with them!

The whole garden gets the same sun. Well maybe the very back right corner doesn’t as they do have a big tree there.

Just get a bamboo screen or similar and attach it to the fence with little cable ties.

Bamboo in pots??

We asked to put up a fence on our side. LL asked them and they said no as it would “kill their border plants”. LL doesn’t want to annoy them so told us no.

Oh right. A big windbreak? Unless you could come to an agreement with neighbours to change their fence, offer to contribute? Surely they don't enjoy their garden being so open to yours, unless they get some sort of reverse pleasure in peering in.

@WorraLiberty we have dove that but the table is literally next to the fence so they can just look right over!

Are you very entertaining? Are the guests buying tickets?

If it's a chain fence I don't think it matters where the table is - surely you can see in wherever you are

I should add it is only waist high bamboo rather than the 6ft I wanted.

What are you doing that makes it so awful to be seen?

@Wannakisstheteacher

I should add it is only waist high bamboo rather than the 6ft I wanted.

Attach some more and make it higher?

Walk about in the nude. They'll soon move!

Get a gazebo and keep the curtains closed on their side.

Bamboo is a good idea

We aren’t entertaining as we never go out there in the evening now! But they are currently sat there looking directly at my washing on the line. If I go out to collect it etc they stop talking and just watch me.

Trough planters along the fence line, all growing tall bamboo. Has to be in planters otherwise it will take over your entire garden, but its very effective screening, and nicer to look at than chain-link fence.

Can you tie a sheet up anywhere? Literally anything temporary that can give you some privacy.

Or just become really annoying so they can't stand to watch you any longer and they put up a fence!

@Funnylittlefloozie love that idea!

You can buy planters with trellis up the back, I grow lots of climbers and it’s seems to stop the peeping toms. I particularly recommend Jasmine as it gets pretty thick and high quickly