Neighbour replacing fencing

[gillybean89]

The fencing along one side of our garden is falling apart. We replaced the rest of the fencing around our perimeter around 7 years ago but the other fencing was OK back then so didn't replace it. DH spoke to neighbour recently about wanting to replace fencing soon, and she said she was planning on replacing all of the fencing (not just the bit she shares with us) soon. DH offered half for our part and she said declined, said she was going to pay for it all.

Today there are workmen replacing the fence. They haven't got to our bit yet but I can see and hear them working. I'm at home today with an ankle injury, resting in the living room next to the patio doors which look out on the garden and so I'll be very visible once they get around to our fencing. We also have a dog who will need to be allowed into the garden to toilet. We were not informed by neighbour that work would be starting, so haven't moved anything that is propped up against the fence for eg. I won't be able to either, due to bad ankle.

I'm wondering if we would be unreasonable to speak to neighbour about having not been made aware, given that we are not having to cover any cost.

YABU - shut the blinds and be grateful that you're getting a new fence for free

YANBU - whilst it's lovely to have said new fence, a bit of a heads up would have been nice

Well yeah, it would have been sensible if they’d told you what was happening.

Of course they should have told you. Basic neighbourliness.
But given that it's their fence which they're paying for, I don't really think you can do anything but suck it up.

If the fence is on their land, it's nothing to do with you, unless it's height breaks any local laws.

While it it would have been nice for them to tell you, they don’t have to if they own the fence - is it your boundary or theirs?

I wouldn’t be complaining of I wasn’t paying for it.

However, if I was doing the same, I would tell neighbours in advance just incase they needed to move anything secured to their side or for pets etc. And I am usually a right knob.

Yes they should have told you so you can move stuff but it's not a huge deal in the scheme of things. You wanted a new fence and you are getting one. Could you get outside to ask the fencers to help move stuff that's valuable/ important to you?

I had a similar issue once with window cleaners. Didn't turn up the date and time they said then one day randomly appeared when I was stuck on an important call and proceeded to chuck all my tomato plants aside so they could get the ladders where they wanted them, damaging about half in the process then did a bad job cleaning anyway missing loads of moss and dirt. If they hadn't damaged my plants I would have been ok but I made a complaint to the office and stopped using them. Now can't find another window cleaner who will call me back.

You don't know yet that they are actually going to replace your bit. She might have changed her mind about paying for it.

Well it’s their fence so no, they didn’t need to tell you.

@MegGriffinshat when we have looked at the plans of the house in the past its not been made clear whose the boundary is.

My thinking is that surely it would have been common courtesy to let us know so we could move things etc like you say. And just to let us know it will be happening. I would have done if it were us replacing the fence.

I don't think we'll be able to say anything, given that we are not paying. It's just quite annoyed me!

@ProFannyTea I hope not, they have already taken down some of the loose boards on our side!

I will suck it up. DH should be home in a few hours so I will send him out to move things out of the way.

Wow I would be having the exact opposite reaction! I genuinely can't imagine being annoyed at this.

I'm in this camp. Lovely new fence I don't have to pay for? Crack on.

@CatGrins @FuzzyPuffling thank you. A bit of perspective is perhaps what I need. A new fence is very much appreciated.

Why does you being visible to the workmen matter?

@rainbowunicorn I suppose I just feel uneasy being on show, especially when I'm not as able to get up and move elsewhere.

It doesn't matter if it's their fence, common courtesy means they should have told you. I replaced my fence and gave ample warning to my neighbours. I also said if my digs should wander over and make a mess to let me know so I could clean it up (though I tried of course to minimise any chance of this happening).
But it's fine now so I wouldn't say anything unless it comes up.

It’s their fence. I suppose they could say nothing should be propped up against their property anyway.

Timing sounds annoying for you, and they should have communicated the plans, but they shouldn’t take long.

If it’s your fence, ie on the deeds as your responsibility, they can actually only put a fence on their side of it, within their garden, not replace it on the boundary without prior agreement.

Short term pain for long term gain!

Mmm would have been nice to know, particularly if any bit of the fence that is being replaced is out of sight of the door you let the dog out via.

But as it appears to be their fence, and it's costing you nothing, and you seem to have been leaning stuff up against their fence, I'd keep quiet.