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.

Op...

Can you do a gazebo with closed side as someone suggested and bamboo

You can buy them already that high and yes they grow quickly.

I'm waiting for the post where you say you like to walk around topless or won miss World competition 😂😂.

You have the right to enjoy your garden and house in peace and that's in any letting agreement.. You need to push back, get letting agent into it.. You need to say a rent reducing amount because you can't enjoy the garden and they won't help but get one bamboo then anther then another.. Ikea do ready made screens with ivy on... Very cheap or the range perhaps

Being outdoors and enjoying our gardens is vital to mental health...

Get a load of bamboo in pots and some bamboo screens.

This is due sadder side of renting, you have rights and lots of them and your paying I imagine a pretty price for those rights.. It's not easy for your ll to get rid of you and you could make it a long, painful nasty experience fir him, which I'm absolutely sure you'd never do.. But push back

re the washing on the line, I would just stare straight at them and ask Can if they wouldn't mind coming round and helping out.

That will see them off, they'll think you are a pscyho. Can't spell it.

A line of tinkling wind chimes and a water feature with fountain plonked near the fence. Subtle but irritating sounds. I personally would like it but wind chimes in particular are a big MN no no.

Do you know anyone who keeps chickens?

We have chickens. Their poo is quite stinky. I usually clean the coops every morning and knock the poo into a wheelbarrow to move later.

If I lived near you I’d offer to pour some poo along the edge of your garden as it’s good manure and the smell will guarantee the neighbours will move their table damn quick. 🤣🤣

I wonder if they moved it because of ... op I just figured out that we moved our table and chairs and that we (terribly) look like we are looking into our neighbours garden. For one second ... it's actually really awkward here too, the wall is low and while we're the opposite side to them we all keep catching each other's eyes and having very basic shouty conversations over the wall. I hate good weather!!! Must say I'm loving some of the suggestions here ...

On balance in your situation I think I would go with the topless thing.
It is not against the law and it would probably frighten the life out of them.

Lady Godiva Go.

@stayathomer

I wonder if they moved it because of ... op I just figured out that we moved our table and chairs and that we (terribly) look like we are looking into our neighbours garden. For one second ... it's actually really awkward here too, the wall is low and while we're the opposite side to them we all keep catching each other's eyes and having very basic shouty conversations over the wall. I hate good weather!!! Must say I'm loving some of the suggestions here ...

@TheMawisbraw

Move your washing line or put up a new one right alongside the fence and hang a few big sheets

Love this.

A few other interesting items of clothing perhaps?

I'm thinking the biggest granny knickers you might find plus the odd bit of S and M kit.

That will confuse them.

Hang your washing just so

I think you need to be providing some entertainment for them. Here are some suggestions:

• Naked bongo drumming
• Topless volleyball
• Water fights
• knife throwing (with the target right next to the fence)
• Manure wrestling

Etc.

Put a high back bench in front of them:
www.primrose.co.uk/-p-125424.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuaPZqczt8QIVlfdRCh3s9gsjEAQYAiABEgJMbPD_BwE
Or tie some ugly gnomes to the top of the fence looking into their garden. (There’s a house I used to see from the train to work that had done this. It looked quite funny but probably not so nice for the neighbours, I’m guessing they didn’t get on).

I couldn’t be doing with this. I’m sure they know exactly what they’re doing so I wouldn’t bother discussing it.

Just get a few cheap fence panels, stand them up slightly away from boundary overlapping the fence that’s already there and knock some long thick stakes in front and behind to keep them in place and secure (assuming it’s grass in front) for the summer when it’s not windy. Cheaper than buying gazebos and you can take them with you when you leave for your next house. Tell LL you’ll fill in grass and plant new seeds if they say anything.

Some wire and evergreen clematis. It's covered in masses of heavily scented white flowers. It grows like mad so within two years you could be fully screened. Until then though, bamboo rolls and a David Hasslehoff cardboard cut out staring right back at them.

How fucking dare they eat their dinner in their garden . The absolute bastards.

I’d put my own table right next to it and go sit there around the same time they usually do, preferably before and see how they like it.

You could buy one of those swinging hammock chairs, place it facing their table, go out when they're there, glass of wine in hand, and sit there. watching them, sipping your wine and silently swinging to and fro!

Have you ever greeted them when you're out there? It would be normal to say "Good afternoon/evening" if they're looking at you when you go into the garden wouldn't it? Do they ever speak to you or you to them?

@SmileyClare

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!

I doubt the landlord would complain if tenant was prepared to cover the cost. But they should ask permission first, not just go ahead and do it

@Wannakisstheteacher

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

Buy some of that fake ivy stuff that b and m, Wilko's etc sell, if you ever moved you could take it down and take it with you

Any chance you have seagulls? You can throw bread out and they come swooping down shitting everywhere!

A normal bird feeder might do -

What about some garden music? Local school may have kids singing very enthusiastically on YouTube? Tell them it’s research for a new job?

Take up naked tromboning?

Invite nudists for tea?

I'd put a table right next to theirs on your side of the fence. Whenever they sit down to eat dinner, head out to your table and sit down and start joining in their conversation. Bonus points if you light up a ciggie.

She doesn't need to put any fence up per se and confuse boundary lines, plant of bamboo will do perfectly! It's in her garden

Op I'd love to see a diagram

And yes the washing line is perfect!

And swinging gently to and fro right up to them with wine, lady godiva.

My new neighbour (lovely BTW) had to re do fencing and were going to do it waist height but my then very sweet little 5 year old used to sit and watch them, memorised.... I'd say it wasn't polite but I couidnt police her every move!
Eventually they sweetly said, oh BTW when we do the fence we are thinking of a taller one for all our privacy..