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.

Maybe buy some potted bamboo? My friend did this - terracotta pots of bamboo (never ever in soil as it's invasive!!) and the bamboo is maybe 7ft high. Would give you privacy, doesn't involve putting a fence up either

Temporary screening? There's been several threads moaning about large parasols that neighbours have causing problems. Or big sail type things? Gazebo/tent with side panels that they can't see through? Kids trampoline right next to the section where their table is? Sprinklers close to the fence ? Those oscillating ones are good.
If temporary, no need for any permission.

Wooden pots.. Attach some reed fencing to the pots.. Ll can't say anything.. Neither can ndn.

Big tilting garden parasol to obscure their view?

I think it’s fair to say that with the heat lots of neighbours who are normally fine with each other a pissing each other off.

Next door talk loudly in their garden
2 doors up play the guitar and sing Christian songs😫
Diaganol opposite are in their garden from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm and talk constantlywithoutabreak
Opposite constantly shouting for his cat
Then there’s the strimmers, mowers, log cutters all day.

I never do anything wrong in my garden😇

Put a really stinky compost heap on your side, or a fire pit

Diagonal!

Yes, why not put some fencing in pots? No one can moan about that as you can just move it all.

Or is that one of those stupid ideas that only works in your head??

I wish so much I’d put plants there immediately when we moved it. But it was winter and I assumed they would have their table on the patio by the proper fence like we do so neither of us would be sat there looking in.

Yes, was going to say the same, cheap bamboo or willow screen panels tied on to existing fence.

@Funnylittlefloozie

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.

This, I'd also probably hop to IKEA or similar to buy a couple of low tilting umbrellas to place side by side to act as a non permanent shield solution until the bamboo is of adequate height. I wouldn't put them against the fence, just where you sit and open and tilt as needed

We've got a gadget for keeping cats and foxes off the lawn. You attach it to the hosepipe and when it detects movement within a certain distance, it squirts a quick jet of water in that direction.

Just saying.

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.

Hanging out and taking the washing in is prime chat to the neighbours over the garden wall time at chez Etusoba. You could try that.

Titling umbrellas are a good shout. It just feels really invasive. It’s clearly my problem but I just can’t act naturally when they and their guests (4 this evening) are sat watching me.

I think you can buy portable folding screens that would work.

I would hate neighbours looking in. So awkward - do you strike up conversation? Say hello then ignore them? Pretend they're not there and try to avoid eye contact? It's just all wrong.

Can’t even spell my own username.

Pop up gazebo with side panels is £100 on amazon. Either out it over your patio with one side on to block their view, or put it next to their bit of the fence to block them there and leave the rest of the garden free!

If you have asked them to allow a fence and asked them to site their table somewhere else and they refused, they are true CFs. Would it be too awful if you put a narrow table beside the fence and sit at it with a little glass of something (and popcorn) facing the fence (and them) when they are out there eating?

@SmileyClare the latter. I’m just pissed off they’ve done it. If we were both hanging out washing etc I’d say hi and have a quick chat. But pushing a table onto the grass, to right up against the fence just makes me feel violated, I’m sorry, but I just want some privacy! Front garden is totally open so I just feel we don’t have anywhere to relax without being watched.

Put some hurdle fencing up for the summer, it's temporary.

@Wannakisstheteacher

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.

Why would your landlord ask the neighbours if he can put up a fence on his own property?!

You can buy garden screens that are like those hinged indoor privacy screens.

Large mature bamboo in pots.

Willow fence panels not on the current boundary but in front of it in sturdy pots or on temporary fence posts that are dug in the ground put not concreted in. When you move, fill the holes.

@GreyhoundG1rl apparently it is the “polite” thing to do.

I think you should put a bench directly in front of it, but facing into your garden. Just go and sit in it every night.

[quote Wannakisstheteacher]@GreyhoundG1rl apparently it is the “polite” thing to do.[/quote]
He's a pushover.