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Original poster

Neighbour wants to replace MY fence, I don’t want them to!

654 replies

Fencewoes · 27/03/2024 12:33

We have recently had new neighbours move in next door. A month ago they said that they would like to replace all of the fences around their garden (sides and back) which includes replacing mine. They said they will pay for this as they want their garden to look uniform. At first I was on board with this, actually quite pleased at the thought of having a brand new fence as mine is quite old, however they have now said they will be replacing my current 4ft fence with a 6ft fence instead.

I have told them I do not want them to replace my fence with anything higher than 4 ft. They’ve now said that in that case, instead of replacing my fence, they will just build another fence against mine in their garden. So basically, I will retain my current fence, then there will be another in their garden, but I will have double fences on my side! Is this even allowed?

OP posts:
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MiltonNorthern · 27/03/2024 12:34

I think they can put up a higher fence on their side. Why don't you want a higher fence?

NCForQuestions · 27/03/2024 12:35

Yes. Perfectly normal. They don't want a 4ft fence, so they can install anything they like on their side of the boundary.

Nice of them to offer you a new fence as part of it, but you don't have to accept.

KnickerlessFlannel · 27/03/2024 12:35

Yes, they can do as they wish as long as it's on their land and within the allowed height, which 6 foot is. A 6 foot fence is pretty standard, why do you want to be able to see in their garden and be seen in yours?

DonaldDuc · 27/03/2024 12:35

Of course it's allowed

grumpyvamps · 27/03/2024 12:35

Check any restrictions on height of fence generally (locally) but yes they can

pelargoniums · 27/03/2024 12:35

Yes it’s allowed: they can’t take down your fence but they can have their own on their land. Ask that they go close to your fence as possible so you don’t get a gap that fills with weeds and leaves and ends up rotting both fences.

Dacadactyl · 27/03/2024 12:35

Yes I think they can just put the higher fence their side too.

seven201 · 27/03/2024 12:36

Yes, if it's on their side they can put up their own 6ft fence in front of yours. Personally I wouldn't want a fence lower than 6ft.

bluecomputerscreen · 27/03/2024 12:36

can you compromise with them? 4ft fence with 2ft trellis above?

BreakfastAtMimis · 27/03/2024 12:36

Yes of course it's allowed, their garden so they can do what they like. My parents' neighbour removed a fence which my mum felt left their house very exposed. So my parents just put a new fence up on their side this time.

Uncooperativefingers · 27/03/2024 12:36

Of course, they can build what they like (within reason) in their garden, along as it's not attached to your fence or on their land.

Unless there are covenants restricting the heights of your fences, then I doubt a 6ft fence would be considered unreasonable as they're pretty standard

StarlightLime · 27/03/2024 12:36

Why would it not be allowed?!

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 27/03/2024 12:36

Of course they can!

TheSnowyOwl · 27/03/2024 12:36

They can put up any barrier (up to 6ft) on their side of the boundary.

I would remind me them that they won’t have any access to your land and you don’t give them permission to move your fence in any way. As a result, I think they would struggle to get any secure foundations in for their fence which might end up causing damage to your fence - again, point out they will be liable for repairing your fence if their fence or installation causes any damage.

OhmygodDont · 27/03/2024 12:37

Yes of course it’s perfectly legal and fine for them to erect their own fence within their boundary upto 2meters high.

CloudsUnderwater · 27/03/2024 12:38

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

StarlightLime · 27/03/2024 12:39

TheSnowyOwl · 27/03/2024 12:36

They can put up any barrier (up to 6ft) on their side of the boundary.

I would remind me them that they won’t have any access to your land and you don’t give them permission to move your fence in any way. As a result, I think they would struggle to get any secure foundations in for their fence which might end up causing damage to your fence - again, point out they will be liable for repairing your fence if their fence or installation causes any damage.

They'll put it within their own boundary. There are no issues with doing this.

Bellaboo01 · 27/03/2024 12:39

Of course they can do this.

You said yours is old so it might be nice for you to have a new fence which isnt at your expense.

What is your reason to not want a six foot fence? Four foot is very short!

Vod · 27/03/2024 12:39

I'd take the nice new fence at their expense, personally.

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 27/03/2024 12:39

Yes it's their land, they are entitled to put a fence on their side.

The fence is going up, you may as well get a free fence out of it.

Silvergreenblue · 27/03/2024 12:40

They'd lose space in their garden doing that. I'd be overjoyed if someone replaced our old fence for free.

Saymyname28 · 27/03/2024 12:41

100% allowed. I wouldn't want a 4ft fence at all.

Original poster
Fencewoes · 27/03/2024 12:41

They have a wide garden so they have said they will just leave a gap between my current fence and their new one.

So it will look dreadful from my side. Two fences with a half metre gap in between. It feels like I am being bullied into accepting their offer to just replace mine with a 6ft fence.

OP posts:
CloudsUnderwater · 27/03/2024 12:42

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PBandJ111 · 27/03/2024 12:42

You should let them replace it as they will build a new fence next to it which will look stupid.