Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put up a fence panel to block neighbours?

84 replies

holdthehonest · 05/03/2023 15:33

My neighbour just had a driveway put in. Unfortunately for me it’s a semi-detached and I have a bay window. They now park their car just inches from my window (they park diagonally for whatever reason)

I was just sitting down now with a cup of tea in my living room, suddenly car lights in my face and my neighbour staring at me.

Just feels like an invasion of privacy and all I can seems to think to resolve it is by putting up a panel to block them out, but it would be very obvious as to why I’ve suddenly got a high fence panel in my front garden.

OP posts:
Disneyforaweek · 05/03/2023 15:35

I'd do it if you could afford it! We have something similar where our bay window is straight onto the pavement and if someone parks in front of the house (which I have no problem with) it can sometimes make you jump when you suddenly have headlights in your face while you're watching TV!

Swiftswatch · 05/03/2023 15:35

It doesn’t really matter if it’s obvious to why or not though. They are parking on their own driveway which they are perfectly entitled and to do, if it bothers you then yes put a fence up.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:36

Do you have blinds or curtains?

GrumpyPanda · 05/03/2023 15:37

YABU for not providing a diagram.

When you say the car is parked inches from your window, does that mean any fence would be similarly inches from your windows? Sounds like you might as well board them up. I guess you could get one-way windows instead. Or talk to the neighbour...

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 15:38

Are you allowed? There are some rules about fence height and finer gardens

FeinCuroxiVooz · 05/03/2023 15:39

perfectly reasonable to put up a fence panel in these circumstances. I certainly would!

Blowyourowntrumpet · 05/03/2023 15:41

Isn't there a maximum height of three feet for a fence at the front of the property? If that's high enough for you, do it

Original poster
holdthehonest · 05/03/2023 15:42

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:36

Do you have blinds or curtains?

Yeah but I don’t want to sit with my curtains half closed any time I want to sit in the living room.

OP posts:
IglesiasPiggl · 05/03/2023 15:44

Why would you not want them to know the reason? Their new driveway bothers you so you are taking steps to mitigate that. That's fine and maybe they ought to know anyway.

U1sce · 05/03/2023 15:44

You shouldn't have to sit in the dark with a blind or curtains closed for them to not see you. Either a fence panel, or some of those planters with trellis attached to the back might be easier to 'install'

moveoverye · 05/03/2023 15:45

if you aren’t allowed a fence of the height you want, get a trellis or a large shrub.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:47

@holdthehonest I didn't suggest that but you said their headlights were blaring in your window and surely they'd only be using headlight if it's dark

percypercypercy · 05/03/2023 15:48

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:47

@holdthehonest I didn't suggest that but you said their headlights were blaring in your window and surely they'd only be using headlight if it's dark

Most modern cars have daytime running lights.

zurala · 05/03/2023 15:49

I'd do it and mention it in passing to them. "Your new drive is lovely, must be so handy. We just going to put up a small fence panel though so we don't jump every time you drive on and to give us both a bit of privacy."

Furrydogmum · 05/03/2023 15:50

My sons neighbours have half plantation shutters so nobody can see in but they don't really lose light..

MamOfFive · 05/03/2023 15:50

I would put a fence up. That would really annoy me.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:53

@percypercypercy not headlights that are going to cause a massive issue

RudsyFarmer · 05/03/2023 15:55

My advice is shutters and pampas grass.

Bunce1 · 05/03/2023 15:56

What about some of the privacy opaque stuff you can lay on your glass?

FOJN · 05/03/2023 15:59

I wouldn't worry about it being obvious why you've put a fence panel up.

Wanting privacy in your own home isn't weird or antisocial.

I'd be very matter of fact about it if it came up in conversation. Don't worry what they think, would you sacrifice your privacy to avoid upsetting them?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 05/03/2023 16:00

You could apply 'one way window mirror film' to the window and then they will just dazzle themselves!

Original poster
holdthehonest · 05/03/2023 16:06

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 15:47

@holdthehonest I didn't suggest that but you said their headlights were blaring in your window and surely they'd only be using headlight if it's dark

I didn’t say headlights, I said car lights. When I use the fob to open my car door the lights outside the car turn on for a few seconds. Theirs must do similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
holdthehonest · 05/03/2023 16:08

RudsyFarmer · 05/03/2023 15:55

My advice is shutters and pampas grass.

If you have a spare 1K for shutters then cool. Sadly I have other things to buy before replacing my curtains.

OP posts:
HellsCominWithMe · 05/03/2023 16:09

Am I right in thinking it’s the house joined to your house? So the fence panel would be on the boundary line essentially in the middle of the building?

I would do it personally but do it fancy with one of those shaped panels and do the whole front boundary. With a higher panel close to the house sloping to a reasonable 3 ft panel. Then then I’d get some fabulous climbing roses and put a rose arch or some frame they can climb up to further shield your house.

if the neighbours ask why tell them. Bright headlights through the window is distrusting and can be awful if I’m dealing with a migraine. Or kill it with kindness and say their desire to do up their garden has inspired you to do the same.

id also consider the mirror film that others

Uhave2changethings · 05/03/2023 16:16

Fence, trellis, net curtains, voiles, window film, plants ....try one of these? Not all of them cost a fortune.