CMs - looking for more advice please re outside fences in back yard.

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

We are in rented accommodation and are mid terraced. Unbeknown to us when we took the place, we found that there are 2 German shepherd dogs on one side of us and a labrador the other.

There are restrictions in the deeds regarding the height of the wall between the houses. I have asked the neighbour if they would be prepared to allow me to put reed or bark screens up to deter the dogs from being upset by the kids outside.

The neighbour in question does not want her sunlight obscured and reckons that any fencing higher than is at present would block sunlight. I don't agree but I do NOT want to get on the wrong side of my neighbours at all.

Does any one have any suggestions as to what I can do - with this glorious weather the kids want to go outside (so do I!) but they are put off by the dogs. I am worried that once the dogs realise that they are capable of jumping over the fence, that they will!!

Any idea as to what I can do? The neighbour has said that they will be sorting out the fence some times this year. But it is all very vague. No idea what to do. I am thinking of putting something alongside the fence to at least block the dogs' view of the children.

Any ideas please??

Is the fence the height allowed by the deeds? What height is it at the moment? I can't see how putting up a screen on yourside that is the same height as the fence could be a problem. However, the dogs will know that the children are out there even if they can't see them - we have horridly yappy dogs next door that can't see us but still yap when we're out. If you did put something up a foot inside your fence, for instance, it would certainly make it look more difficult for the dog to jump I would think.

The fence is about 4 foot, I think and before your reply came through, Mistlethrush, I wondered about putting something alongside the fence on our side. I have had a look at the right to light question and it seems that light that falls in the garden area is not protected. All that aside, I do not want to fall out with neighbours, but I must stand up for myself and the rights that the kids have to play outside!

Your neighbour is being unreasonable I think!

The restrictions in the deeds mean that the fence is so low that your neighbours dog could jump into your garden? I don't think that's very safe!

Is there a way you could fashion a temporary fence extension that you could put up when the kids are out there and take down when they're not? Almost like a curtain!

Or could you use netting instead of bark/reed. It would stop the dogs getting in (and balls going over) but would not block sunlight. Maybe the kind of netting that goes round a trampoline or the netting that they use for tennis nets.

Yes, HolyLenten, I agree. They are being unreasonable! No doubt about that. I feel as if I have to "claim" our outside area - we have as much right to enjoy our area outside as they have to enjoy theirs.

I really like the idea of a temporary netting that goes up and down when the kids are out. Great idea!!

I think the neighbours are being very short sighted about the fact that their dogs could jump over and hurt my children. Silly of them! Actually, goddam ridiculous of them!!

Silly people! I would put it to them that you are concerned that the dogs may jump the fence and threaten or bite the children and that if that were to happen they would almost certainly lose their dogs so it is in their interests to put in place a suitable fence unless they want to keep their dogs caged or chained.

I am seriously considering getting two of these: builders' fencing. This would stop they dogs trying to get over, it would not have to be fixed to the hideous fences we have in place at the moment and it would not block any light. Plus the kids could decorate it.

I am being serious!