Its a fence one .

[pavillion1]

We are having our garden landscaped the fence between our neighbours and ours was falling apart so even though it is actually neighbours fence we let them know that we are willing to replace . They said fine but can we make sure its like for like we said yes no problem.

I admit i didn't specify to our landscaper the fence had to be exactly the same i just said same height and we have chosen to replace the wooden post with concrete.
This hasnt come cheap . Upshot is the neighbours have gone mad about the new fence and demanded they at least get the better side of the fence which we have agreed to but im now feeling abit hard done by as yes ok its not exactly the same fence panel but it is a. stronger panel with concrete foundations .

I’d say to them that they can pay the difference if they want the good side (ie you both have good sides)

Vertical slats is a big difference -will definitely look weird in their garden now with the other fencing. I can see why they are pissed off.

they do have vertical along their back fence

It's vertical slats not horizontal

That's a huge change, especially as you agreed to replace like for like. I'm not surprised they're annoyed.

This "good side bad side" business....is it old fashioned? I remember buying our house and none of the fence panels seemed to follow this rule. Nothing in paperwork about who gets the good side. Is this just one of those rules that is old as time?

Yes

Been awful to us since the day we moved in .

To be honest you’ve fucked up big time. This is basic homeowner etiquette. Who owns the fence is the first thing you find out, then if it’s yours you notify them that you are going to replace, if it’s theirs you ask and negotiate for what you want to happen.

The fact you’ve just steamed in and done what you want has labelled you as shitty neighbours. How you handle this will set the tone for years to come.

Id acknowledge you were wrong, explain it as inexperience. Tell them you will replace back to a like for like if they wish, but you would rather just turn the panels if they are ok with that. And give them some flowers or a bottle of wine. You are going to live next to these people for years, getting on with neighbours makes life so much easier

This is it

By the sound of this thread you deserve it

this is what we have done bar the wine and flowers . i still feel hard done by .

So you genuinely thought you owned it, and yet asked them for permission to change their fence, and agreed to their request to replace like for like.
Which is it?

They are clearly nuts. If they can't be bothered to maintain a fence they can't whinge when you put up a robust one. The concrete posts are much better should have hedgehog holes in the bottom though.

My neighbours are awful too so I had to pay for a fence just over on my side.

But it was your error? Why are you hard done by having to put it right?

We didnt ask permission we let them know we are putting a new fence in .

That's a lovely secure job and if you were my neighbours I'd be very grateful.
People are so combative nowadays.
Sorry OP. I personally think you sound like good neighbours.
Best of luck.

If the original panel was deteriorating badly then surely any decent panel will be a significant upgrade?!! I mean, you could really have some fun with their "like for like " demands ... !

Feels a bit like they are chancing it when they can't be arsed to do something about it themselves

It’s a nice fence, it is a lot different though!

because they are still getting a brand new fence .

Ahhh now that's a good point and could easily have been done?