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Original poster

How to cover neighbours ugly fence

31 replies

sayanythingelse · 01/05/2023 10:30

We live in a new build and my neighbour put up a fence at the weekend and it's an absolutely awful bodge job. What we can we put in front that would grow quickly and cover at least the bottom part of the fence where they've left the mismatched half posts in?
I would prefer something that will grow upwards but not take up too much space outwards as this is the part of the garden where the sun hits last, so my original plan was to have a patio or decking here rather than beds but I feel like I've got no other choice than to cover the ghastly fence.

(please excuse the messy garden, we still have a lot of work to do)

How to cover neighbours ugly fence
OP posts:
ThreeB · 01/05/2023 10:36

If you're going to pop decking there, I'd go for some large rosemary bushes. You'll get the beautiful smell and they grow pretty quickly (although B&Q have some enormous ones in at the moment if you don't want to wait). They also tolerate poor soils so great for a new build garden

Beebumble2 · 01/05/2023 10:42

Why have you got the post side? If it’s their boundary fence you should have the attractive side.
Back to the question. First, I’d put a vigorous climbing rose, not a rambler which would be too much. We have an Etoile de Hollande climber in a similar position, large red blooms all summer with a lovely scent. In order to cover the lower half I’d think about a low growing Cotoneaster horizontalis , some varieties spread along a wall or fence they are evergreen and have flowers and berries. You can prune them to keep compact.

Notellinganyone · 01/05/2023 10:46

That business about the attractive side is nonsense. It’s not a law. If I’m paying a fortune for a fence I’m not going to give myself the ugly side!

Chasingsquirrels · 01/05/2023 10:55

Whose is the original fence & are the half posts still supporting? Maybe talk to the neighbour about taking them out? Other than that it looks fine from the picture.

Plethoraofwoo · 01/05/2023 10:57

If you found a stain to match it would blend in more and wouldn’t look half as bad.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 01/05/2023 10:58

What are the light coloured posts doing? Are they really needed?

Other than those it's fine. I'd paint it a lighter colour (Cuprinol natural stone is my go to). Other than that I wouldn't start planting anything up it until you've figured out what you want to do with the whole garden.

user1497207191 · 01/05/2023 11:02

@Beebumble2

Why have you got the post side? If it’s their boundary fence you should have the attractive side.

That's got no basis at all in law. There "may" be such a stipulation in the deeds, but highly unlikely. It's basically just a myth.

user1497207191 · 01/05/2023 11:03

The OP can put her own fence up against it if she wishes which would solve the problem, then both neighbours could have a "nice" side.

RestrictiveCovenant · 01/05/2023 11:05

I’d put the decking or patio there as you plan, and some pots or raised beds on it along that edge to hide those posts.

How to cover neighbours ugly fence
How to cover neighbours ugly fence
Beebumble2 · 01/05/2023 11:14

user1497207191 · 01/05/2023 11:02

@Beebumble2

Why have you got the post side? If it’s their boundary fence you should have the attractive side.

That's got no basis at all in law. There "may" be such a stipulation in the deeds, but highly unlikely. It's basically just a myth.

I don’t think I said it was the law. I used the word ‘should’. When we put up a new 120 foot fence on our boundary we gave our neighbours the attractive side out of consideration.

trickyfriendsone · 01/05/2023 11:15

It's a pretty standard looking fence, not sure why they've left the initial boundary fence in place and built round it but it's not particularly ugly

Did you have an alternative style of fencing/boundary you wanted? You can still put a fence up to you're preference

BeetleBailey · 01/05/2023 11:16

The half posts are the main issue. I can only think they're for extra support

Why not take them out?

I would

Then paint the fence, or put your own fence up so you get the nice side

SD1978 · 01/05/2023 11:18

I never understood that if I paid for a wall, the neighbours get the benefit of the 'nice' side. Why? If you were in a restaurant and your meal was better than the tables next to you- would you give them that too? Why do people think that they have to buy something expensive, and get limited benefit from it with fencing? It baffles me.

VariationsonaTheme · 01/05/2023 11:22

Is the shorter fence the original, on your side of the boundary? Just wondered if that’s why they left it in place? Just take it out.

Beebumble2 · 01/05/2023 11:23

As the fence belongs to your neighbour, you would need permission from them in order to paint or stain it.

Fatandfunny · 01/05/2023 11:24

If it’s their boundary fence you should have the attractive side

that’s not a thing and if you were silly enough to pay for a fence and give your neighbour the nice side that’s on you. No one else should be doing that,.

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 01/05/2023 11:25

ThreeB · 01/05/2023 10:36

If you're going to pop decking there, I'd go for some large rosemary bushes. You'll get the beautiful smell and they grow pretty quickly (although B&Q have some enormous ones in at the moment if you don't want to wait). They also tolerate poor soils so great for a new build garden

What sort of height do they grow to?

HipTightOnions · 01/05/2023 11:26

Why have you got the post side? If it’s their boundary fence you should have the attractive side.

vs.

That business about the attractive side is nonsense. It’s not a law.

It used to be the considerate convention though.

The fences down along my street are flipping one by one as they are replaced. I think it's a shame.

Fatandfunny · 01/05/2023 11:26

I don’t think I said it was the law. I used the word ‘should’. When we put up a new 120 foot fence on our boundary we gave our neighbours the attractive side out of consideration

why would you possibly do that? Do you buy other things and if you think it’s nicer than theirs give it to them, like your car?

Butterflyflytoday · 01/05/2023 11:26

Can you remove the half posts, then it will look much better.

drpet49 · 01/05/2023 11:27

Notellinganyone · 01/05/2023 10:46

That business about the attractive side is nonsense. It’s not a law. If I’m paying a fortune for a fence I’m not going to give myself the ugly side!

This! I wouldn’t give my neighbour the good side either.

CatherinedeBourgh · 01/05/2023 11:27

I would put your own posts on your side and then use either wires or trellis (or, if you have a bigger budget, some nice fencing) on your side, and cover those in climbers. Means you won't have any issues with your neighbours and your side will always look nice. And you can have a terrace there if you want it.

HipTightOnions · 01/05/2023 11:29

This! I wouldn’t give my neighbour the good side either.

And when your other neighbour gives you their "bad" side you will end up in the same position!

Deathbyfluffy · 01/05/2023 11:29

BeetleBailey · 01/05/2023 11:16

The half posts are the main issue. I can only think they're for extra support

Why not take them out?

I would

Then paint the fence, or put your own fence up so you get the nice side

You already know they’re for extra support, if they’re on the boi dart you can’t just go digging them up because you don’t like them!

Fatandfunny · 01/05/2023 11:30

If the neighbours want to look at a nice bit of fence they can put their own up and pay for it. Who pays thoudands for a fence so they can look at the ugly bit. The only time the ugly but should face you is if it’s bordering a road etc as otherwise it would look silly