To put a fence up (in front of neighbours)

[Slowhorses1]

Our neighbours boundary to the right of our garden has a ‘fence’ which consists of two planks of wood with about a foot and a half gap in between the two planks. The overall height of the structure is around 70cm. In no way is it an actual fence, it’s also completely falling down.

They claim to be garden lovers (which is apparently the reason from them having a barely there fence - they want the light). However, they have actually moved out of their property (although they come back and stay occasionally) and the garden is now unattended with a load of invasive plants that despite my best efforts I can’t keep from growing in our garden. They say they want light but they also have a huge leylandia that backs onto another neighbours on their right side and totally overshadows the whole garden which they refuse to trim because they also want privacy.

We have tried really hard to engage with them, we’ve been really polite and understanding and have tried offering to pay for a the whole new fence, as well as to get a slatted one which allows for some light. However, they either say it doesn’t work, or they don’t reply. This has been going on for over a year.

Our garden isn’t huge, we have young children who we also want a bit of privacy for in the summer. Would we be unreasonable to just put up a fence on our boundary in front of their one???

Put your fence up.

You can put a fence up in your garden when you would like to. They have moved out anyway, so go for it.

I would absolutely put my own fence up.

I can't believe you have let this go on for a year! Just put the bloody fence up!

If they're very rarely there why are they so bothered.
Sounds like a post and rail fence, which as you say offers you no privacy at all.

You are allowed to put your own fence up as long as you don't use any part of theirs to fix it to.

You say the plants are invasive types. If the neighbours aren’t around, I would be using a bit of RoundUp to keep it all under control.

I think we’ve just been trying to be polite and understanding. There’s nothing worse than falling out with neighbours!

They're not bad people, I just get the impression that they don’t like change or having to engage with it in anyway.

It feels pretty confrontational just sticking up a fence, but looks like that might be what we have to do.

It's your garden, put a fence up.

A good solution. Go for it. They have had the chance to sort it themselves. You are not doing anything illegal or wrong to have privacy and safety

this is what I’ve been doing but it’s a loosing battle. Wild garlic and green alkanet.

First thing I did when I moved was put a fence up all round my garden. Previously chain link and done bushes do no privacy

just do it

The wild garlic would be picked and made use of in the kitchen, but it's the devil's work to get rid of green alkanet. In any case, put up your fence and don't be so concerned about your ex/neighbours

I’ve just looked up green alkanet. I don’t know that a fence would do much good. I would use lots of roundup.

Still do a fence if you want but it looks like a bit of a scorched earth policy to start would be my route.

My parents moved into a bungalow and their patio windows and bedroom window were at the back looking onto the garden. The neighbours behind owned the fence and had a low, wire fence so their veg patch got the sun. My parents obviously wanted privacy for their windows so they just put fence panels up, making sure they were inside their garden. Neighbours came round to complain it was “their” fence and they liked it low so my parents just said yes we know that, that’s why we’ve put our own up inside our own garden!

Do it. Don't warn them. When challenged, say you need a secure garden for the children.

Although they come back to stay occasionally do you know if it's heading towards a permanent move out?

It's strange that they don't want you putting your own fence up, infact it seems incredibly odd to me considering the situation of how often they're in the house.

Please do not use Roundup

It’s really weird.

This. I wouldn’t hesitate an instant.

Put the fence up. Stop pandering to them.

You have young children. Of course you need a fence.

I think you need to do what is right for you,and safe and secure for your children

Thank you all. I was worried it was too confrontational, but looks like this is what we’ll have to do.

From what you say, you have done your best to get them on board. They refused to communicate much. That would be it for me, up with the fence asap!

I know it's not easy to do it unilaterally because you might feel its provocative. However, the neighbours should have responded and they haven't, so off you go and enjoy your garden.

If the house is no longer being lived in I suggest that

1. Advise your Councils 'empty homes' team
2. Council Tax as they may have to pay a higher rate,
3. If the garden is becoming overgrown Environmental Health may be able to take action