Fence neighbour situation

[Sarahtm35]

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?

You can’t. However how about getting sone tarpaulin or something and f8xing that up if you can’t afford a fence

How much fence are we actually taking? Just a panel of several?

I would put a washing line up and peg sheets to it to combat the staring.

It’s impossible for us to see into their extension due to the layout of our garden. They can only see into our kitchen through the gap between the broken panel and our shed.
I understand I can’t dictate which direction he looks in, but when he looks directly at me washing up with his hand covering his eyes from the sun peering or gets a chair and places it directly towards my garden to sit and watch my kids.I’d call that staring.
i don’t really want to put frosting on my windows blocking all our light as it’s dark enough in our house and I’ve already put in Venetian blinds to help.
whilst they’re not under obligation to supply a fence, if their fence is broken and dangerous (bits break off, it’s falling down) I’m within my rights to complain to the council about it, especially now that they’re made it so they can’t get to it with their extension. I don’t think it’s right to leave us with the job of taking it down so it doesn’t fall on my younger children and having to dispose of it.
I don’t think any teenage girl would want a 60 year old man sat watching her in her own garden to be honest, I don’t think that makes my daughter ‘sensitive’ it just makes her normal.

also it’s not possible to attach anything to the posts as it’s all falling apart anyway and not solid enough to start using as a prop for anything else.

That’s a good idea thanks

It’s about 5 6x6 panels we’d need for the whole fence.

I’d put up something like this across the gaps
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3d-shower-curtain/s?k=3d+shower+curtain

Washing line is inspired! Perhaps write on the sheet "STOP STARING!" on the side they will be looking at....

This is pretty much it. I'd find a way of blocking their view from your side.

As others have said, there is no general obligation on the person responsible for marking the boundary to maintain a fence on it. They can mark the boundary as they please (or, in practice, not at all).

Your neighbour staring at you all is rude as fuck. But he isn't obliged to put up a fence. If you want privacy it's up to you to put up something that provides that privacy.

Try something like this

COSTWAY Wood Flower Plant Stand with Trellis, Solid Garden Trough Planter, Outdoor Garden Weather-Resistant Plant Rack for Vines, Climbing Flower, Plant Pot Box (64 x 28 x 75cm, Brown) amzn.eu/d/cuDB6JQ

Short answer is you can't. You have to find the money if you want privacy.

We had to do this so believe me there is no way you can make them.

You need some good strong fence panels 6ft high, so they can't see over and some concrete posts.

You can't force any neighbour to erect a fence even if their boundry

you can put a fence within your land or screening as long as it is not exceeding 6ft.

Alternatively you could purchase two small shrubs that grow to about 6ft, laurel or evergreen mock orange are both ideal if its shaded land and will grow up slowly, be inexpensive but within 3/4 years your neighbours will not be able to peer into your garden any longer - they'll not realise as it'll happen gradually and will be inexpensive for you in comparison to a fence https://www.thespruce.com/mexican-orange-growing-profile-3955244

https://www.thespruce.com/mexican-orange-growing-profile-3955244

You can’t. There’s nothing else to it.

I don't think you can. If it's unsafe, you could maybe insist it's removed, but they don't have to put a fence up at all.

I’m within my rights to complain to the council about it,

not sure what the council can do? is it council properties? having an extension it doesn't sound like the property is council owned.

Id ask him to remove the fence panel as it is dangerous and any harm that comes to you or yours you'd not be happy. Either give him access to remove the fence or take it out and leave it with him to depose of. -but talk to him to organise this.

look up outdoor curtains on Amazon op. String them in a washing line running along the boundary where the gap is maybe. Or plant something evergreen and dense in the line of sight.

Why no diagram?

It’s about 5 6x6 panels we’d need for the whole fence.

So that's about £200. How long would it take you to find that? Or could you afford the £35ish to just replace the broken one?

Have you asked them to replace the fence? What did they say?

Fuck me, the issue isn't the fence, it's the creepy staring neighbour! Would no-one else here repeatedly bellow "can I HELP you?!" every time they do this? I bet quite a few of us would.

The fence is a seperate issue to the antisocial behaviour. Report to 101. He's staring at you and your daughter, he knows it makes you both uncomfortable and he's enjoying that. He's doing it on purpose. Report now so it's on file in case he escalates.

Ivy.

The bane of fences, but by god it moves quick and covers up gaps/turns a fence into a hedge - plus it's basically free (or cheap if you insist on buying it rather than grabbing some from somewhere else and planting it)