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?

The idea of a neighbour just hanging over a 4ft fence to 'have a chat' whenever they feel like it is giving me the heeby jeebies.. my fences at the back would be 8ft high if it was allowed.

I’m not a conveyancer so not certain but I think a lot of people are giving incorrect information on here. I would check the deeds and other paperwork for your house as that should say who owns which fence and often the fence height is limited at 4ft (although most people just ignore this). And I don’t think it’s normal to put up one fence against another fence…

They can absolutely do this. My mum and dad's neighbours did it. My mum and dad refused the replacement of fences (because of major boundary disputes in a previous property). The neighbours just put a six foot fence next to the existing fence.

Edited to add: the neighbours were in a new build property. The fence belonged to my mum and dad and predated the new builds considerably.

If I moved into that area I would have six foot fences installed before I moved in. I would replace existing fences if the owners allowed, otherwise they would be installed on my land but installed they would be!

The neighbours have not disputed the ownership of the fence. They asked OP for permission to replace it, OP said no so now they are prepared to put up a fence next to OPs on their own land. They are allowed to do this.

edited to add: It is unusual for fence height to be specified in deeds, certainly not the norm. It is always worth the OP checking but I would be surprised if there is something there. Otherwise I believe the limit for fencing in the back garden is 2m (including trellis).

They probably want some privacy OP. Get over it.

Terrifying, isn’t it? We viewed a perfect house last year, then we were proudly shown the lovely, American-style backyard gardens by the owner, and advised all the neighbours go to the end of their gardens and chat, and jump over each others fences all summer in the evenings and have social gatherings in the middle garden (this one!)

Literally turned around and walked out. Gives off keys in a bowl vibe.

No, you clearly aren't a conveyancer. It is absolutely normal to put your own fence up within your boundary if neighbours can't agree. Gov.uk has the law on fences set out very clearly.

Yes, there could be something on the deeds saying fences can't be more than 4 foot. This would have been highlighted during the conveyancing process though as it is highly unusual.

I would hazard a guess that these houses may have once been Council as mine was and we had a 4 foot wire fence and my neighbours replaced it with a 5 ft wooden fence. The next people in there waited til we were out one weekend and replaced it with a 6ft fence because they didn't like us. 😀However they didn't bother with the baseboards so as the years went on the fence started rotting into the ground and before they left it was down to less than 5 ft again.

I suspect they won't have any trouble when they sell. They will just sell as is and the new people will assume the fence is the boundary.

Let them build their 6ft fence their land then take yours down - you've just gained 1/2 metre of garden...

My mistake, I forgot how argumentative people could be on Mumsnet! Calm down..

The 4 ft thing I think might be more or less common depending on the age of the house or the area as it has been the norm for all the houses I've lived in and it's not flagged during conveyancing as a result. People absolutely ignore it as standard and everyone has 6ft fences and are oblivious to the stipulation. Just thought that might have helped OP.

OP I understand your annoyance with this and while they might be allowed to do this - it is massively unneighbourly of them.

This !!!! Exactly what I would do!

And paint it any colour I like!

Why would you want to keep a 4ft fence. I have one and hate it - you get zero privacy! I honestly don’t know why you wouldn’t accept their offer?

If you really need to know what is happening in your neighbours' garden, why can't you look out of an upper floor window? Don't forget the net curtains, obviously.

I'm not sure how you decided I wasn't calm. I'm not being argumentative, you gave incorrect advice and it needs to be corrected.

Too many people do what you did and say "in my opinion" or"I don't think that.." . The law is on gov.uk and is clear

You are being understandably defensive because you got it wrong.

You can't paint their fence any colour you like or attach anything to it as you do not own their fence.

You could take your fence down but the original boundary still applies. You cannot take their land, grow anything on it or anything that then goes onto it.
You will also probably be lying about no disputes when you wish to sell in future.

@12345change I'd put a hedge the other side as soon as you took your fence down! It's still my land after all!

Bollocks to letting you gain by being belligerent! It would be a nasty thorny one as well.

And of course you couldn't paint my fence n my land any colour you like!

Silly billy!

What next? You decide the colour of my kitchen in my house?

You could put a hedge up up BUT on the boundary line only.
You'd be responsible for the upkeep and pruning it so it did not go over the line.
If it went over the line or caused damage to their fence they could take legal action against you/cut it down their side (if they can reach over a 6ft fence) and throw the bits over to you.

This would be my horror. A real community feel means people leaning over and talking over fences, fuck no. We added trellis to the top of 6ft to get more privacy!

It is hilarious on here as usual... glad I have lovely neighbours who would not dream of behaving like this. Yes you're all probably right you smug people but your also very unneighbourly...

You can’t paint their fence, erected on their land?!