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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want privacy in my own back garden?

152 replies

OhFFSthisAgain · 22/04/2023 14:40

The issue is we have gappy old shared 4 foot fence inbetween us and the neighbours. It is right a long so there isn't one place I can go in the garden where I'm not seen. They have a huge garden (bigger than ours so they have the option to sit further away, but they choose to sit right next to us) and literally against the fence; they seem very comfortable there. They are always out pottering around. They're a big family and out alot of the time.
I want to get a new 6 foot fence to give us privacy, this will improve my happiness so much, and mean I will use the garden more.
I was going to ask the neighbours if we can replace the fence as it is very old, we will pay etc, if they're unhappy with this i will put the new fence in front of it.

Dh who is a known people pleaser is so concerned about "what will they think," "it is awkward", "we're blocking them off" " what if they're funny about it, blocking their light" etc. He is making every excuse in the book not to do it. He won't even let me put privacy screening up the same height as the dam fence!

I am becoming increasingly annoyed by dh's attitude. He would rather please the neighbours, and avoid conflict when he never speaks to them. I actually don't think they'll even be bothered in the first place! He knows the privacy would make a huge difference to my mental health. I will enjoy the garden, it will be a sanctuary for me. At the moment I feel I'm in a goldfish bowl, and don't use it as often when they're all out, and it is just me on my own.

Dh is starting to get annoyed by me "going on about it all of the time!"

Am I really being so unreasonable?

OP posts:
IamtheDevilsAvocado · 27/04/2023 13:10

OhFFSthisAgain · 22/04/2023 14:53

I also don't understand why the neighbours don't do anything to create privacy; they really don't care. They are so different to me, I feel so awkward hanging washing directly facing them all when they sit 1 foot away!

As you've pointed out... People are so different... It would hardly bother me - but then i live in pretty built up area.. And everyone overlooks our comings and goings!

If its impacting you so badly... Ignore your husband just get on and do it!

mistlethrush · 27/04/2023 13:31

In our last house, the neighbour at the bottom of the garden (our back gardens abutted) would sometimes stand at their bedroom window and look down into our garden (and house sometimes) and 'hide' behind the curtain. I always waved when I saw her and smiled... she stopped doing it!

Perhaps you might afford say 3 panels of fencing that you could erect just by the house - whilst this wouldn't deal with the whole boundary issue it would at least help with the issue of them looking directly into the house - and if you got the right fencing you could continue further when budgets allow. My presumption is that, if they're happy with their existing fencing and don't mind the overlooking potential (or rather enjoy it) then they won't be willing to share the cost of a new, 6' fence with you - but there's nothing to stop you erecting on just inside the existing fence when budgets allow.

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