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?

Are you in a council/ex council property? They're the only ones I've ever seen that have such low fences, I'm guessing because of budget.

Nooo, it’s just ‘community feel’ 👀 👀👀

I used to live in a house with a 4ft brick wall and one day next doors Labrador jumped the wall and came and had a shit in our yard. 🙈🙈

Totally normal. People want privacy

Personally I would hate to have a 4ft fence-why on earth would you want to see into their garden and them yours?

This made me chuckle, who cares enough about their bins they’d put up with a small fence lol and I’m sure there is more than one neighbour, for whatever weird favours you apparently ask them. We don’t, we are very self sufficient, I certainly wouldn’t be bullied into not doing what I wished on my property in case I randomly had to ask a favour. 😂

I do think there are some people out there who do wish to see into others gardens, see what they are doing, and pop out and have a chat over the fence . A small minority yes, although I think folks like the op are in a even smaller minority as she feels entitled.

I would hate this - sorry. The garden is another room in my house. I don't want to chat to people when I'm in the garden anymore than I do in my sitting room. I think they're perfectly reasonable to want higher fences and offering to take yours up and replace it.

I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want a six foot fence. Your neighbours don't want to chat and have a cup of tea with you.

I can't think of anything worse than a 'community' feel in my garden. Community comes from more than just being able to nosey in someone elses garden when you want. If it is the only one with a fence that big then they will be the only ones not in the community and you will have your neighbours on the side.

😀Perhaps he was making a comment on the community feel?

Installing 6ft fences shouldn't 'upset' your neighbours though, it isn't being done to spite them, if you've got a dog it's a necessity and to want privacy from your neighbours isn't by any means unreasonable, in fact as it doesn't effect the neighbours in any way so they shouldn't have an issue with it, especially as they aren;t being asked to pay for it, it's not the same as the new neighbours are having parties or burning tyres every night!

I'm a good neighbour, I look out for and help the elderly couple next door, and am friendly/chatty with the other side and anyone from the street when I see them out the front but I want privacy in my back garden as an extension of the house, I personally don't think there's anything un-neighbourly about that, the two things aren't linked IMO.

Have even read the story you linked to? couple move in and have their garden flooded by next doors paddling pool, then they are bombarded by a football being kicked against their fence constantly when next doors grandkids are there.. then when the ball goes over onto their property they refuse to give it back, fair enough. Football kicker's dad then threatens, intimidates and tries to break into their flat to get a football back, all the while acting like a complete lunatic.. over a football!, I'm glad they sued the pants off him selfish prick.

That story is nothing to do with being un neighbourly, that story highlights EXACTLY the reason for wanting privacy from the psycho next door.

I don't know why you just don't let them do it's 24 inches and will save you money and yes it's allowed. X

Community feel!!! it’s about wanting to see what they are doing in their garden!
I think they are very considerate with their offer. And I’m with them. I absolutely don’t want to see when my neighbours putting washing out, gardening, sunbathing or doing yoga. I don’t want them to see me when Im doing this and distract me with chatting. The perfect neighbour is the one behind 6 ft fence or hedges.

Good for you 😂 although you’re missing the point. Don’t think it’s that weird to ask your neighbours to pull out your bins etc when you go on your summer holiday. Bullying don’t be ridiculous 😂 I’m sure if everyone acted like a grown up this could be resolved quickly and keep everyone happy. Based on some of the comments on here no wonder people don’t want to engage with their neighbours!

I would be doing exactly the same as your neighbour , all of our fences are about 6’6” or whatever the maximum height allowed is .

The gardens that have low fences make me shudder, always being watched... ugh.

Yes I’ve read it 😏. The story is about being good neighbours as something has clearly gone VERY wrong to have escalated. Privacy clearly has not helped them as the fence was being used to harass and intimidate etc.

clearly OP is upset otherwise wouldn’t be post here like she has.

There's not much you can do about it, unfortunately. I know that might sound harsh, but there's no point stewing over something you just can't change.

How do you walk down the street 😂 do you have a fence all round you so not be watched 😂

There's a world of difference between your own private garden and a public thoroughfare 😵‍💫

Some people are offended by the idea of privacy. Probably the same people who think they are entitled to know famous strangers' medical information.

Off course it’s allowed , you are being very unreasonable to a very reasonable proposal . Just apologise and accept the offer

Honestly, I would take them up on their offer. Ideally you’d want to build a good relationship with them and if there’s a weird gap between fences you might get rats/weeds/headache. I’m interested in why you don’t want 6 ft fence, it sounds like a good offer to me but maybe I’m missing something

Our neighbours wanted to replace our shared boundary fence when i was heavily pregnant. I let DH deal with them as I didn’t feel great. I said I didn’t mind and happy to go halves but wanted the fence to be double so neither of us had the back part of the fence. I also wanted a fence as high as we were allowed (neighbours insisted on a 4ft high fence as they didn’t want our fence blocking their light). I hate it now as our whole garden is completely overlooked where as they have some privacy as they have a half extension.