Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fed up with neighbours

250 replies

Homeontherangeuk · 27/08/2021 15:14

Bit of a back story, we live in a new development... Here 6 years, we signed a clause to say we wouldn't change door colour, fence height etc... However neighbour has raised the shared boundary fence to 2.5m (terrace house) & its so ugly.. We told them we hate it & they flipped.. We told them its too high, werw told fuck off, now anytime we try to use our garden they play banging house music... Today they put the speakers on full blast & have gone out for the day.. Beautiful day but my kids can't enjoy the sun... I'm at my wits end, hubby is sick of the childish antics.... Last night I was sitting out reading my book quietly with a glass of wine, at 10 ó clock I was drenched by a hose over the fence... They claimed it was their 2 year old when hubby rang in a fit.. No way would a 2 year old have the motor skills to control a hose, drench me, our patio & proceed to drench the clothes line... Bawling here, our dream home is turning into a nightmare... What can we do? They have blocked us from messaging, hung up on DH, blank us... Our home is in such an ideal location, we don't want to or aren't in the position to sell...
No cctv so can't prove who drenched me... DH was working last night, I felt very shaken & worried afterwards but held my ground & stayed out listening to them bitching about us... Before the fence we had a great relationship with them.... I regret saying anything now...

OP posts:
3Br1tnee · 28/08/2021 09:24

But they've attached their fence to your posts?

I'd be tempted to remove my fence and posts for a hedge...

Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 28/08/2021 09:30

They said its attached to their side.. The fence is 2.5 metres & our shared fence is 1.8, so we could attach the trellis up to the top of ours but there would still be a bit to go...

OP posts:
3Br1tnee · 28/08/2021 09:39

Who owns that fence/is responsible for that boundary? Are the posts on your side of the boundary?

Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 28/08/2021 09:52

Posts are on both side of adjoining fence, they attached the fence onto their side & it's for up to 2.5m... We have measured, originally 1.8... They drilled right through one of the pillars & damaged our side, big hole & they are refusing to fix it...

OP posts:
3Br1tnee · 28/08/2021 10:15

Whose posts are they though?

Is it on the left or the right if you stand with your house behind you?

SecretDoor · 28/08/2021 10:16

www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes

DiscoDown21 · 28/08/2021 10:53

@3Br1tnee

Whose posts are they though?

Is it on the left or the right if you stand with your house behind you?

This isn’t actually a concrete way of deciding who owns the fence side though. It’s best found on the deeds. Ours are shared for example.
DiscoDown21 · 28/08/2021 10:56

Op they sound awful. Make a diary and video/record noise or inappropriate behaviour. Put cctv cameras up making sure it’s only on your garden. But it will make them see what action you are taking. Go out in your garden and open your windows as you want to. Don’t stop. Just record any issues.

If you aren’t planning to move and it continues I’d at least try the council or even police for harassment.

FleasInMyKnees · 28/08/2021 11:03

What is it they have done, have they put a small fence on top of the original 1.8 fence to make it higher or put a whole new fence up. If its 2.5m now then you can just plant bamboo or something in front of it, maybe put up some bamboo screening but don't attach trellis to the actual fence if its theirs. Can the hole in the pillar just be filled and painted. I dont know what fence cladding is.

bluebell34567 · 28/08/2021 11:28

neighbours from hell.

Nosilayak · 28/08/2021 11:37

We had similar problems with previous neighbours. I knew all about having to declare any neighbourhood disputes during a future sale but the situation was so bad and as we couldn't afford and didn't want to move, we went ahead and complained to the council and the police. We also spoke to other neighbours who had been affected (I'm sure you are not the only neighbour being upset by the constant loud music). The council did not reveal who had complained but I'm not sure whether the police did. They took it seriously, said it was harassment and went round and had a word with them. They were bullies and soon backed down when the authorities, particularly the police became involved and thankfully they moved soon after. If you can't move house and can't carry on living like this then you'll have to take action.

3Br1tnee · 28/08/2021 11:48

I know but it can give an idea.

Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 28/08/2021 12:01

Sorry the fence & panels are to the left if I'm facing the back... DH was thinking poles & wire for the fence might make a difference as nothing will be attached to the fence at all

OP posts:
FleasInMyKnees · 28/08/2021 12:24

Have you got concrete posts on your side which you can attach your own fence or screening to.

HarkeyQuim · 28/08/2021 12:31

@3Br1tnee

I know but it can give an idea.
It doesn’t give you an idea though.
Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 28/08/2021 12:31

Yes we have but I think to get properly secured it would need to be drilled to the top of their raised panel...

OP posts:
Blinky21 · 28/08/2021 12:44

If you've no intention of moving then you should be recording and reporting everything. My personal experience of reporting a neighbour for ASB is that the police and council were excellent, it took a while but ultimately they were taken to court and evicted (rental tenant).
I wouldn't do anything to retaliate, just carry on using your home as normal but report through the right channels. This alone will give you a sense of control back. Hopefully intervention by the authorities will end their nonsense and a resolved dispute won't stop you selling in the future if declared, good luck

3Br1tnee · 28/08/2021 12:44

It does because usually ownership is the fence on the left. So these are most probably the op's posts.

TheChip · 28/08/2021 12:44

What utter dicks they sound. Keep on with the ignoring. These types of people love to get a rise out of others and that's what they're aiming for. They'll sharp get bored when they realise you don't take the bait.

As for the fence. I've just bought a faux trellis to hide my ugly old wall. Would that be an option? The wire hooks that have the nail, and then the plastic hooking, is all it takes to keep them up. You can get them in all kinds of pretty colours, and they don't grow so no worries of it sneaking through to their side.

Blinky21 · 28/08/2021 12:49

Also fence ownership can't be determined by side. We asked our conveyancing solicitor and the fence we assumed was our neighbour's (their left) was shared ownership. I'd put a detachable trellis on and grow whatever you like up it!

phishy · 28/08/2021 12:50

@AntiSocialDistancer

Normally I'd say to move but it sounds like your home is ideal so I would wage an absolute war path until they have no option but to leave you in peace and never speak to you again.

Every small thing would be a confrontation with them so they dont keep stepping over your mental boundaries. They will escalate short term but eventually run out of energy. CCTV (not into their garden)

Nuisance neighbour team, police for harrassment. Video and sound evidence where necessary. Make it the councils problem as much as yours. Solicitors, the lot.

Agree 💯
Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 28/08/2021 13:23

Thanks for the replies... I think its a territorial thing with them, they never like us being in the garden even when on good terms... My dc prefer to read, play lego, we've never had trampolines or play equipment, a paddling pool in the height of the summer was the most exciting thing they've had! Anytime we stepped out their kids were told "make as much noise as you want, you're outdoors" & the music always came on...
I just want to ask would anyone be pissed off at their neighbours leaving their windows & double doors open? I am very aghast at that... Most of the road do? I love full light & air coming into my house never thought it would offend anyone🙈

OP posts:
TheChip · 28/08/2021 13:35

No. That's not normal behaviour from them lol. I think they're just finding things to pick at. Obviously you're good neighbours on the grand scale of things if they can only find open doors and windows and you reading a book to complain about haha

AdobeWanKenobi · 28/08/2021 14:21

@3Br1tnee

It does because usually ownership is the fence on the left. So these are most probably the op's posts.
Ownership can be left, right, both, none etc. Only the deeds will tell you for certain and in some cases even they wont give you the answers. Neither can can you ascertain boundaries from which way the 'nice side' of the fence faces.
honeybuns007 · 28/08/2021 14:21

Very strange that anyone would give two hoots whether their neighbours have their window open or shut. Just odd