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

[Fencewoes]

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?

‘Community feel’ 🤮🤮🤮

nosy neighbours

My neighbours have this, my previous owner built our fence well within the boundary. Lucky next door.

Quoting my own post to say in reality if there was land between the fences then your neighbours might choose to store junk on their land beyond their fence. If you took your fence down this would of course be very unsightly and really start off a neighbour war - which you would be best to avoid.

I think you should just tell the neighbour that it has took you a little time to get used to the idea of a change but that you realise they are allowed to install a high fence on their side so you accept their offer of a replacement fence.

Yeah I’d store my composters, comfrey bins and such there if I thought my neighbour was being cheeky. Just give my self enough gap to get to them.

Yeah, fine line between friendly and overly familiar

Front gardens are there for neighbourly chats over low fences, back gardens are for privacy.

Keep your fence. Let them loose land building a new one. Tell them that any damage caused to your fence by their new fence will mean they have to fix or replace your fence.

Op, have you been treating them to a bit of your community feel over the fence already? This maybe what’s prompted them to act. You or the ones on the other side, intruding on their privacy. Nothing guaranteed to make someone put a six foot fence up quicker than the neighbours popping out for a chat when you’re in your garden.

6ft max for fencing I think is a general rule in most places but not all.

If you are that aghast then maybe check your deeds to see whether there is anything mentioned in there and your local council rules.

Yes and upon viewing a property with a 4ft fence I'd think "I'll probably change that for a 6ft one as is my legal right" and not "hmm this must be a community of 4ft fences and I don't want to disturb the peace, better look elsewhere".

You may be in luck and find that Greg Davies and his similarly-tall DW have bought the house - so even with a 6ft fence, they will still be able to nosey over into your garden and keep that 'community feel' going.

comfrey bins

The smell of pure evil. 🤢

I’d have put my own up on my side of the boundary regardless of their reaction.

Plants love it though. I store it far far away from all houses.

Hopefully my new neighbours moving in this week are nice 😆 or I might have to move a barrel.

"It has a real community feel"

Oh dear, this sentence is incredibly telling.

You're naffed off that they won't "fit in" with your little clique.

If my neighbour tried to tell me what size fence to have in order to fit in with the street, I would tell them where to go.

Don't tell me...you have a whatsapp group too

I know, its great stuff. Store mine on the othe rside of a large hedge!

I assume that they drive a car such as a mid-range Ford that they wash every Sunday afternoon, like Coldplay, and only ever DTD in missionary.

Seem boring to want something uniform that is 6 foot high.

Worth checking if there is any need for planning permission or some covenant that stops them doing this. Even asking if they have checked might delay it for a week longer than otherwise.

what kind of psychopath would want a four foot fence in their back garden

I got my DDog from Dogs Trust like most rehoming charities they wouldn't let me bring him home unless (amongst other criteria) l could prove l had a 6ft secure fence all round my garden. You are being ridiculous your neighbours will lose about 1 ft x whatever length their garden is in the gap between your fences and you will have to look at an ugly double fence and still see a 6ft fence whether you agree or not.

’community feel’

Nope. I’m 53 and and grew up on a housing estate. I remember community. I don’t believe it exists now. Sorry, OP, the new neighbours just think you’re a busybody.

Get round there and say you spoke hastily and if the original offer of replacing your fence with the new one is still there you would be pleased to accept it.

Then when you see them outside say hello but don’t chat.

Christ, let your poor neighbours have their privacy. Not everyone (hardly anyone in fact) wants their neighbours being able to nosy into their garden, nor do they want a ‘community feel’ in their back garden (is that what outside your private premises is for?).

You are being very unreasonable and if I were your neighbour I would absolutely put up the double fence if you refused.

Choose your battles. I think the privacy of a 6 ft fence is better anyway and you can’t really stop them

You may well find that once someone's been 'brave' ( :D ) enough to put in a higher fence that others may do the same.

They’re going to put up a 6ft fence anyway. Why not get yours done for free?

My first house was on an estate with a community feel. However we all understood the etiquette of never bothering people in their back gardens. Back gardens = private, front garden and the pavements at the front = community feel.