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 .

The wine and the flowers are quite important elements of this apology.
This entire fence system is a pain IMO, but given that you legally in the wrong, you might want to pretend that you care a little harder 😉

The take aways from this thread are that many people would not care so much about fences, however the ops neighbour does.
It's a bit like those threads about what's your favourite food, ok everyone has their own opinion but when you're making dinner you don't have to go with the majority.
There's also a lot of misinformation. The deeds are nothing really but a historical record from years ago.
If you buy a fence and put it in place of the neighbour's fence then it's still your fence. It doesn't become theirs just because the old one was theirs.

So generous of you!

They allowed you to remove their property. Their only stipulation was it was an identical replacement and you went for something completely different.

The posts have to be on your land so if you want the "good side" the fence panels will be the thickness of the post inside your own garden and you are effectively giving a bit of your ground to the neighbours.

From that photo, the old fence isn’t falling down. You’ve replaced a wooden panel fence with ugly concrete posts that can’t have things fixed to them.

It was their fence. Presumably on their land.

Now you have your fence on their land. Probably not such a good idea.

They agreed you could take down their fence, provided you replaced it with similar. You didn't. So that is why they are annoyed.

The fact that you replaced it with something you think is "better" is largely irrelevant, as that is a matter of interpretation. I would say concrete posts and vertical boards are more robust and easier to replace. But probably look worse. For some people the appearance is more important.

As an aside, I don't understand all the good side and bad side arguments. It all seems a bit pointless as the "good" and "bad" sides are hardly different to me. Seems an awful lot of fuss about nothing.
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Also, that photo does not show an old fence in a bad state to me. Although sometimes the posts can be rotten at the base.

Wow people are awful on this thread, really not sure why all the hate. Do some of you speak to people like this in real life?

They sound ungrateful, they’ve got a new fence for free that won’t fall down readily as you’ve gone to the expense of installing concrete posts. I’d ignore their complaints, you just can’t please some people, I’d maybe apologise that there might have been a misunderstanding?
Be careful letting them paint their side as it might run through and ruin your side.

Just seen the photos, it’s a lovely fence. If they’ve been awful since you moved in then nothing has changed, right? They sound delightful 🙄

No way would I change the panels to appease them….

Oh for goodness sake. Replacing "like for like" still would not have appeased them as the new panels would have made the other side 2 sides look crappy anyway. Some people just don't like change or progress! They've got a brand new much more improved fence for free! And this drivel of good side/ bad side is just guff, its a bloody fence, if thats all you have to worry about lucky you! Enjoy your new fence, don't appease them! If they hate it they can put different panels up their side. If they bothered to look after it it wouldnt be an issue!

Going by the photo were the 'fixings' on your side and the smooth side facing the neighbours and the new fence is going up the other way round? It's not entirely clear in photo though

Sorry your neighbours are CFs and entitled.

Do not give them the 'nice side' or if you have give them the bill and ask for a significant contribution.

This is what I thought too. We are in new builds and everyone has the “horrible” side of the fence they own.

We have always put the smooth side facing out too. I must admit that until I came on MN I thought that was the norm.

@pavillion1 If I painted your living room walls a colour you didn't like, would you be happy anyway, because you had freshly painted walls?

When we were getting our fence replaced in this style, we were told to have the “bad side” inside our garden as there are ridges that can be used to climb on to access your property. If you have the “good side” facing out, it’s completely smooth and harder to climb.

Yes we'll do like for like apart from the posts & the panels.😂😂😂😂😂😂

Okay, can I please have you for my neighbour? if I'd had a free replacement to the one you've photographed I'd be delighted 'good side or bad'!!! That said, some people just love finding fault and clearly they have so let them have the good side, I prefer the other side anyway as its easier to train climbers up ;-)

YABU

"They said fine but can we make sure its like for like we said yes no problem."

Some people can be really funny about fencing , had similar but ours are elderly.

I think it's really cheeky to ask to have the best side as youre paying for it plus it was shabby as you said Just be careful they don't dictate too much about what you do.

If they had the same style of fence all round (however tatty) and now they haven't I can see why they're annoyed actually

I'd be pissed off too.

Is this your first house and garden?

You'll know better next time.