What would you do about this fence?!

[CalmFawn]

We have a very long garden (it’s half an acre mostly In a narrow-ish strip). When we moved in there was a 3ft fence between us and next door. We spoke to next door and asked if we could replace with a 6ft fence (that we’d pay for). They refused, they liked the small fence etc and it was the boundary that they look after so nothing to do with us. Annoying but fine, we didn’t want to cause issues with a new neighbour.

The fence between us and our neighbour came down in December with the storm. About 10ft of it has completely blown down and about 15ft of it is hanging over. They said they’d sort it out.

it’s still not fixed!!! We’ve asked repeatedly, my husband has offered to help put it up, offered to pay half but no! They keep saying they’ll sort it!

last night the fence that is leaning finally fell over and landed on our cat! cat is fine but not the point.

how the hell to I sort this without causing an issue? My husband just wants to put a 6ft fence on our side and be done with it but the neighbour has said he’d dispute it (he doesn’t want his view blocked) so I’m reluctant.

any advice! It’s been 7 months and looks horrific!!

Photo needed, OP!

I’d speak to them again and make it clear that if they don’t sort it by x date then you’ll have no choice but to put your own fence up alongside. Legally you don’t actually have to have one- just something to mark the boundary line.

Stop pandering to them.

Build a 6ft fence on YOUR land. Who gives a fuck what they do with their fence height.

If you erect your own fence, on your own land, at your own cost...there's nothing for stroppy knickers to dispute!

As I understand it, you are within your rights to erect a fence up to 2 metres on your boundary and your neighbour will have to lump it. Check your LA’s planning rules. Probably doing this on your own land (ie just to the side of their fence) is the pragmatic solution.

That’s what I would do. I wouldn’t mention it again. Just get a fence erected on your own land and have done with it.

Have you never seen a fence before?! 😵‍💫

Put the fence you want down your side and be done with it. They can't dispute it if it is a back garden and under 6ft as it won't need planning.

You're worried about keeping good relationships, but the relationship at the moment isn't good!!

Why do you give them the opportunity to discuss the fence you would pay for? Have other neighbours got 6 foot fences?

Yep, definitely build your own fence on your side of the boundary. As long as it’s no higher than 6ft, I don’t believe he’d have any recourse. (Unless there’s something special about your house that prevents this - which, I believe, is quite rare).

Your DH is right.

Your neighbour has no right to a view. I’d just put up a fence on your own ground.

My parents moved into a house and the house directly behind them had a very low fence between the 2 back gardens. The neighbour behind liked it that way as he had a vegetable patch at that end of his garden so it got full sun. My parents wanted privacy for their back garden and patio so they just put up their own fence inside their boundary. Neighbour want particularly happy but nothing they could do about it.

I would just put a fence up on your side. They can't do anything about it if it's 6ft or under.

Just put the fence up, check with your local planning dept in an email so there's no comeback if ndn complains

Agree with PPs, put a fence up on your side and be done with it. Possibly go for a 4 or 5ft one if you wanted to compromise with neighbours on height. Personally I wouldn't care by this point as they've had 6 months to sort a replacement and would go for a 6ft one if that's what I wanted.

The neighbours don't have a right to a view and providing the new fence is completely your side of the boundary and no taller than 2m they can't do anything.

What does the title register state with regard to boundary structures? Does the fence actually belong to the neighbours? The issue with you putting your own fence up is what happens to the existing damaged one. You can't remove and dispose of it. If you dig out its foundations when it could have been repaired then you risk a fall out and possibly being accused of criminal damage.

I would take lots of photos, look at your title register for info and probably write them an unemotional, factual letter with the timeline to date and stating that the current broken fence is effectively trespassing/impinging on your property which means you can't enjoy all of it. Unless the cat has been injured I wouldn't mention it as they may say your cat broke the fence however bonkers that might seem. That for you it's also a security issue. Give them 14 days to move the broken fence back to their land. See what they say. If they don't repair it (they may not be able to afford to) install your own fence on your own land. Return the broken fence to their land. You don't want their broken fence leaning on yours causing you issues. If you employ contractors to put your own fence up then they can probably do temporary work to stop the neighbour's fence falling onto yours/leaning on yours.

You don't have to mark a boundary line at all.

It's all well and good saying put the fence up but disputes with neighbours can be hell on earth. People move houses all the time because of neighbours. I'm not saying don't do it but there is a big caution with this.

Put a fence on your side. Also, I’d go 5ft instead of six. We were advised by fencers that six feet can feel very hemmed in whilst five feet feels less claustrophobic, for want of a word. (Also don’t forget to have the nice side next to you).

Unless there anything in the deeds there’s nothing to dispute.

Could you give them a heads up. Ie. If nothing is done by end of July, you will be erecting a fence on your side of the boundary.

And glad the cat is ok.

Or just put some laylandi trees in…

🤣

Check your local regulations as they do vary. Also check your deeds to make sure there are no terms re fences.