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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fence neighbour situation

48 replies

Sarahtm35 · 14/05/2023 12:44

We moved into our property 7 years ago. The deeds confirm the boundary between us and our neighbours belongs to our neighbour.
there is one rotton panel at the top end of the garden and then a gap and then a brick shed and then a section at the end with just a low wire fence.
the neighbours have had an extension put on and left the rotten panel for us to deal with as it’s not accessible to them anymore. They have also had a new patio put in and the male neighbour spends all day staring into our kitchen through the gap and if my daughters go out into the garden he comes out and just sits there staring.
they refuse to replace the fence, so we got some quotes to put one up ourselves but unfortunately we just don’t have the funds.
how can we get them to replace their fence without falling out with them?

OP posts:
Riverlee · 14/05/2023 12:49

Can you suggest going 50:50 on the broken fence panel?

Ilovetocrochet · 14/05/2023 12:50

I don’t think you can make them replace the fence panel unfortunately. You could put a screen or trellis up on your side to hide the missing panel and grow climbing plants on it. I’ve been looking at getting a single panel screen for my patio and there are a lot of different options online.

finallygotospeaktoSky · 14/05/2023 12:51

I wouldn't bother talking to them tbh, some cheap screening on your side can be an option until you can do something more permanent.
I had a neighbour like this an I fixed an old duvet cover over the gap between the fence whilst I saved for decent screening.
Didn't look brilliant but she got the message, and ended up fixing the fence.
Nets or transparent film for the kitchen window, let's in light keeps nosy neighbours out.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 14/05/2023 12:51

You can ask nicely. But as far as I’ve discovered, you cannot ‘enforce’ them replacing the fence. Legally they could just string up a piece of wire as a boundary line.
I feel for you, we have similar neighbours - only they have two dogs which constantly bark, and a garden which rivals step toes scrapyard. Currently their fence is held together with chicken wire and false hope.
we are saving for one of those metal colour bond fences, can’t even sell up due to the delightful ‘view’.

hopefully someone else will have a better idea.

finallygotospeaktoSky · 14/05/2023 12:53

What's the thing with looking at your dd? Sounds weird, but then he could easily do that from an upstairs window.
Some very strange peeps out there....

Hotfootgoose · 14/05/2023 12:54

Get some cheap board and just plug the gap for now. At least it will stop him glaring through

LIZS · 14/05/2023 12:56

It may be their boundary but not their fence. Have you checked the alignment is on or within their land?

cosmiccosmos · 14/05/2023 12:58

Have a look on Freegle and see if there is anything going that could block it

HunterHearstHelmsley · 14/05/2023 12:59

They don't have to have a fence so you can't make them. If they don't want one and you do then you'll need to put one up.

Shinyandnew1 · 14/05/2023 13:01

so we got some quotes to put one up ourselves but unfortunately we just don’t have the funds

What were you quoted for? Was it one fence panel-how much?

Campervangirl · 14/05/2023 13:25

Buy a fence panel from B&Q and fix it to the existing fence posts, single panels are not expensive approx £30

whynotwhatknot · 14/05/2023 13:30

buy a fence panel not a whole set

unless its in the deeds noone has to have a fence at all-my neighbour asked me to fix my fence i said no they dont have one thats their problem

Original poster
Sarahtm35 · 14/05/2023 13:33

LIZS · 14/05/2023 12:56

It may be their boundary but not their fence. Have you checked the alignment is on or within their land?

It’s definitely their fence as its ex council and the wire was the original fence from 1960 and rotten wood panel was erected by them 20 years ago according to our other neighbour.

OP posts:
midgemadgemodge · 14/05/2023 13:33

Campervangirl · 14/05/2023 13:25

Buy a fence panel from B&Q and fix it to the existing fence posts, single panels are not expensive approx £30

Don't fix it to their posts without asking first

rwalker · 14/05/2023 13:44

Wouldn’t waste your time there under no obligation to provide or put a fence up
if they wanted one they’d of put one up by now
you could of possibly pissed them of asking for them to replace it so they are leaving it in purpose to piss you off

GasPanic · 14/05/2023 14:07

I kind of have a similar issue (no staring).

The fence/boundary actually belongs to the neighbour, and even though the deeds say it is theirs, they claim it isn't and it is actually mine. When I ask them to check the deeds, they say they "can't find them". They don't comment on the copies of my deeds that I have supplied to them. I have pointed out the ridiculousness of me owning/being responsible for a fence that is clearly on their land. No comment in return. Otherwise apart from the fence issue they are great neighbours and we get on well.

Unfortunately, there aren't normally any obligations to maintain fences in law as far as I can tell.

I would just buy my own fence and erect it in front of theirs. Problem solved. I would like to do this to my place, but the are some reasons why this would be difficult.

Ungratefulorunreasonable · 14/05/2023 14:09

Sarahtm35 · 14/05/2023 13:33

It’s definitely their fence as its ex council and the wire was the original fence from 1960 and rotten wood panel was erected by them 20 years ago according to our other neighbour.

Show quote history

This doesn't matter. They are responsible for maintaining the boundary. By rights, they could remove the fence and replace it with a chalk line. Boundaries do not have to be physical. If you want a new fence, you'll have to pay. If you do though, I would strongly recommend placing the fence INSIDE your boundary, so the fence cannot be removed, replaced or changed by them.

Grimbelina · 14/05/2023 14:10

Put two posts in and either a fence panel or something like a willow screen which can't be seen through. If you are really short of cash then just the posts and something like a tarpaulin stretched between them and then lots of plants in front. Look for some secondhand fencing too.

Gettingbysomehow · 14/05/2023 14:11

I wouldn't give a monkeys about someone who is ogling me and my daughters. Id confront them with it and tell them to put a fence up.

Gettingbysomehow · 14/05/2023 14:12

Ebay is great for garden materials. I've had some real bargains from there.

Tygertiger · 14/05/2023 14:14

Can you plant a hedge instead? Laurel grows fairly quickly and it’s evergreen so you have year-round privacy.

Floralnomad · 14/05/2023 14:17

You can’t make them repair or replace the fence , they obviously are not bothered by it . If you want a fence then you have to pay .

StrongTea · 14/05/2023 14:22

He sounds a creep, put up some sort of screening to stop him staring in. A garden sail or pretty printed shower curtain.

JudgeRudy · 14/05/2023 14:27

Unless it specifies in the deeds to the contrary, they're under no obligation to supply any sort of fence. I'd probably just buy some cheap screening or a 2nd hand bit of trellis. As others have said ensure you have permission to attach to there posts.

As for your neighbour looking into your kitchen, well I'd say you're equally looking into his conservatory. That's just part of human nature really. It's unreasonable to dictate that he avoids looking your way. I'd also be careful of using words like 'watches' or 'stares'. He's probably just looking but your daughter is more sensitive to this. Would blinds or frosted panes be an option?

By all means ask him what his plans are but I'd do it casually ie when you bump into each other. If there are no plans I'd just say 'Oh that's disappointing. I guess we need to think about privacy now. Do you have any objections to anything being attached to the posts?' Leave it vaugue/open then text your specific plan over (bits that affect them). Word it that if you don't hear back you'll assume he's OK with it and go ahead on xday.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 14/05/2023 14:33

They can do what they wish on their property so they can leave the rotten fence or remove it and have no fence between you at all if they wanted. You can do what you want on your property, so you could erect your own fence just inside your boundary or put up some type of screen at certain points along the boundary such as quick growing plants, trellis or your own shed.

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