Can I paint neighbour's wall?

[Treesandsheepeverywhere]

Neighbour's garage backs onto our side, so the pebbledashed grey wall forms part of the fence. There's fencing on either side of the garage wall, which is fine, but the wall is an eyesore.

It's at the bottom of their massive garden and they hardly ever venture to it.

It also happens to be directly in front of our kitchen window, so it's all you see when looking out.

I could plant on our side, but the space between our kitchen and their wall is paved, with a slither of free ground.

Would it be U to paint the wall a lovely appealing colour or plant ivy or such?

DH says not to, but I'm thinking a compromise might be us asking the neighbours, but is it rude to ask?

Is the wall on their property? Who does the path belong you? You can’t paint it if it’s on their property. You can however put up a fence blocking sight of the wall and paint the fence.

I would ask them, yes. It's their property so it's correct to ask even if they can't see it.

I hope they agree. Good luck.

No! We don't share a tree, just a fence and the wall.

@Treesandsheepeverywhere It also happens to be directly in front of our kitchen window, so it's all you see when looking out.

I think you should definitely ask.
You could take a photo of the wall from your kitchen window to show them, (if they seem to be hesitant about the idea of painting), so they can see for themselves what you're faced with everytime you look out your window.

I hope they agree to let you paint.

@AndOnThatTree , @sugarandplum , not on insta but searched Kate Lawler and it does seem like a lot of hassle.

@marmaladeandpeanutbutter , exactly, people getting offended for the sake of it.
Owner has the right, but also did it just because it was a reality star who did it.

Although it's their garage maybe they didn't feel they could paint that side due to having to 'tresspass' onto your land, which if you get on fine as neighbours I'd find a little odd but as said pop round and ask, they may even offer to do the job or at least the paint if they have any left over.

I think the key thing is to ask but also, should they say yes, make sure you choose a paint that is breathable. Some paints should absolutely not be used because they create an impermeable membrane that holds damp in the structure and can lead to issues for the building’s owner, which would probably sour relations somewhat.

Not sure who the fence belongs to honestly, the boundary is right on it, so guessing shared.
Their house backs on to 3 houses, ours being in on one corner end.

The fence would have to be quite tall to cover the wall, and as there's paving, hard to put in.

Thanks, good idea 're the photo.

Have never met them or seen them even, just heard them a couple of times.
Their house and garden is huge and seems this end doesn't get used much as there's only the garage and some trees.

Whose fence is it? Could you self support trellis in front to grow attractive climbers like clematis, rose or jasmine (not ivy, can be invasive)

Our garage wall is part of the boundary with our neighbours and they always ask before they do anything , we don’t object to fixing stuff to it as long as the plants are non invasive and don’t get near the roof as we don’t want things growing inside but wouldn’t want it painted .

Thanks, can you see the wall and why not painting, would think that was less invasive than plants?

Might be the way to go if they refuse painting.

This is a very good idea.

I agree with pp , don't plant anything that will grow into the pebble dash but I can't see why painting it would be a issue but of course ask the owners first.
If they do object then bamboo screens or trellis would do the job but obviously don't attach it to the shed.

You could ask the neighbour if you could attach some trellis to their back wall. But you'd still need to be very careful that the plants themselves didn't grow into the concrete.

Some alternatives could include erecting a trellis in front of the wall (with a gap, not fixed to the wall), but this would need footings. Or you could install planters containing ornamental trees, e.g. acers.

Painting pebbledash is a pain to be honest, even if they do say yes!

Someone I know has a similar situation. Her neighbour was fine with her painting it and it’s now painted white with a painted vine and it looks great !

Thanks, hadn't realised 're painting, thought would be the easiest and quickest way 😅.
Although, anything will be better than staring at that wall to be honest.

Unfortunately not much of a gap between the wall and the paving, will measure it in a bit.

You could present it to them as 'we needs way to make it more attractive and painting seems better than planting close to it or erecting a fence in front of it that might make his maintenance more difficult'.

Sell it as an advantage over the other methods you'd be entitled to do without his permission.

My house wall is to the back of my neighbour's garden with a fence with side continuing the boundary. I'd go apeshit if my neighbour painted the wall.

I agree with @ExpressCheckout , painting it will be a pain, if they agree you may be better of getting a spray paint gun ( I think you can hire them )

Thanks, that's a good point, anything in front will limit access to the wall if needed.

Even if you can't see it?

Why? Even if they asked?

What would you hope to achieve with that attitude?

OP, just ask them and decide what to do after that.

It's not just about seeing it.

Painting a brick wall could increase the chances of damp, for example.

Bricks are porous. If you paint it, it could trap moisture and create or worsen issues with damp.

Definitely ask first.