AIBU to ask new neighbours or the council about the fence?

Oopsadaisy92 · 2026-05-05T17:43:58+00:00

The house to the right of mine recently moved in and the fence is in need of repair. My deeds state that they own the fence but am I being unreasonable to raise it with them so soon after moving in ... not sure if relevant but its council owned so do I raise it with them or the council? Or do I just fix it so it looks like my other panels or would the council make them/ or me put them back?

SweepLovesSoo · 05/05/2026 18:56

I don’t think the council would notice if you just replaced it without an announcement. As long as it was in the right place or on your own land.

Legally, there doe say have to be a fence so I can’t see them paying for one.

Nothingrhymes · 05/05/2026 19:05

The house next door to me is a council property. And the fence separating our back gardens is in a dreadful state of repair. It was apparently put up by a previous council tenant about 20 years ago.

I'm not on good terms with the current tenants - they have been there about 3 years now. They use the garden as a rubbish tip.

So earlier this year I approached the council about repairing or replacing the fence between our gardens. I offered to pay half of the cost. Eventually a council officer came out to see me and told me that the fence was nothing to do with them - he said he had checked the deeds. So it was up to me to replace or repair the fence. But the bit that annoyed me was that , having told me it was nothing to do with the Council, he expected me to notify them when I had arranged to get the work done.

A short while after this two of the fence panels have actually blown down in one of the high winds. Luckily for me they fell into next doors garden. And that's where they are still lying 2 months on.

Tbh I'm being bloody minded about this and what I've done is plant a few more shrubs in front of the gap and put a line of stones to mark the boundary between our properties at the gap.
No doubt I will eventually replace the 2 panels but i'm taking my time over it.

So OP if I were you I would probably approach the council but, if they are anything like my council, I wouldn't expect too much in the way of co operation and you will possibly end up doing the repair yourself as the easiest solution to the problem.

Hoardasurass · 05/05/2026 19:09

Its not tge tenant's responsibility to replace the fence. Thats tge responsibility of the landlord which in this case is your council so you need to talk to them not the neighbours

Danikm151 · 05/05/2026 19:13

My HA considers fences as gifted and it’s up to the tenant to repair. Unlucky for me next door is the same HA and they haven’t done anything for3 months- that fence is their responsibility

Original poster

Oopsadaisy92 · 05/05/2026 19:35

Nothingrhymes · 05/05/2026 19:05

The house next door to me is a council property. And the fence separating our back gardens is in a dreadful state of repair. It was apparently put up by a previous council tenant about 20 years ago.

I'm not on good terms with the current tenants - they have been there about 3 years now. They use the garden as a rubbish tip.

So earlier this year I approached the council about repairing or replacing the fence between our gardens. I offered to pay half of the cost. Eventually a council officer came out to see me and told me that the fence was nothing to do with them - he said he had checked the deeds. So it was up to me to replace or repair the fence. But the bit that annoyed me was that , having told me it was nothing to do with the Council, he expected me to notify them when I had arranged to get the work done.

A short while after this two of the fence panels have actually blown down in one of the high winds. Luckily for me they fell into next doors garden. And that's where they are still lying 2 months on.

Tbh I'm being bloody minded about this and what I've done is plant a few more shrubs in front of the gap and put a line of stones to mark the boundary between our properties at the gap.
No doubt I will eventually replace the 2 panels but i'm taking my time over it.

So OP if I were you I would probably approach the council but, if they are anything like my council, I wouldn't expect too much in the way of co operation and you will possibly end up doing the repair yourself as the easiest solution to the problem.

Oh no! I feel your pain. My neighbours havent been there long and the garden is also starting to look like a tip too. Ive seen a box for a lawn mower but no actual lawn mower which is also really concerning

OP posts:

Original poster

Oopsadaisy92 · 05/05/2026 19:36

Danikm151 · 05/05/2026 19:13

My HA considers fences as gifted and it’s up to the tenant to repair. Unlucky for me next door is the same HA and they haven’t done anything for3 months- that fence is their responsibility

Oh no! Thats frustrating x

OP posts:

Roberts1984 · 06/05/2026 14:54

Unfortunately most fences traditionally would have been chestnut and over time, tenants paid for panels to be installed. It is rare for the council to replace fences but it does happen. Pleasantly speak with the neighbour, maybe contact the council and in the meantime, plant some quick growing plants like laurel right up against the boundary and keep pruning it so that it stays thin but dense.

SarahAndQuack · 06/05/2026 15:38

I think it would be polite to discuss it with your neighbours, even if you end up going to the council.

Valid8me · 06/05/2026 16:10

You do realise that either the neigbour or the council could just remove the fence completely? There is no legal requirement for there to be a fence.