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Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

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Original poster

Neighbours....and fences

26 replies

palacegirl77 · 26/05/2019 21:12

Not sure if this is the right place to put this. We moved into our house 8 months ago. Our neighbours are really nice (they only move d in a week before us) and they they have 2 children as do we. Part of the dividing fence is so low (its about 4ft!) and their 4 year old stands on a pot and just stares into our garden. Usually this is no issue, my kids will talk to her, she just likes to watch them, but in the warm weather I do like a bit of a sunbathe and a few times have looked up just to see her staring at me which is a little creepy! The fence is theirs so we have no option to heighten it. We've put in shrubs but they will take 3 years to grow. Any ideas how I can get a bit of privacy when sunbathing without seeming awful and unfriendly to the neighbours? Personally I wouldnt let my children hang over the fence, but am I unreasonable not to want their daughter to do this all the time?

OP posts:

RitaTheBeater · 26/05/2019 21:25

On a practical level I'd steal the pot when they were out! That will stop her.

She's hoping for the same level of entertainment that she is getting when your dc are in the garden. So just ignore her. Turn your chair away from her and don't talk to her.

Or say 'Jane and Tarzan are at school now so get down off the pot until they get home later'. Children are pretty compliant usually.

Cyberworrier · 27/05/2019 07:12

We have same thing... I bought a trellis panel but children just look through it (for our dog). Could you ask parents politely if they mind you putting up a trellis on your side (removable if either of you sell) to climb plants up but also for privacy for sunbathing? And then buy a less easy to peer through one than I did 😩

aprilshowers12 · 27/05/2019 07:23

I have exactly the same issue with a four foot fence which is jointly owned. neighbours are fine but there is absolutely no privacy and each time I'm in the garden there are comments about something along the lines of 'I see you've planted xyz' 'I notice that tree is growing quite big' Nothing awful just becomes irritating. So one day, without notice to them I just put a 6 ft fence up on my side of that garden. It's honestly the best thing I've done, I have something for the climbers to grow up and no one can complain as it's on my property. Can you not just put a 6 ft fence up?

ElephantsEatEggs · 27/05/2019 07:27

Totally agree with aprilshowers12

If you own your property you can put your own fence in right up to their fence making it the height you want on your side of the boundary.

It is often done when 2 sides of your garden are one type of fence and the 3rd is different and you want it all to match. You can also say that if they ask why you are doing it. or you can say you wanted privacy.

PristineCondition · 27/05/2019 07:29

Yes just put up another fence your side. You love vv little space and gain a lifetime of privacy

PristineCondition · 27/05/2019 07:29

Lose*

Doory4 · 27/05/2019 08:07

That’s exactly what we did. Best solution ever and takes up so little extra space! Also gives extra strength to the fences

mumwon · 27/05/2019 10:33

I know someone who put a split bamboo screening attached to their shorter fence (cheaper version of fence)

longearedbat · 27/05/2019 11:28

Either put your own fence up, or ignore it. The child will grow out of doing this anyway. Yes to leaning over and removing the pot!

Original poster

palacegirl77 · 27/05/2019 12:56

Thanks for the suggestions, definitely dont feel adding our own fence is an option as its pretty obvious why we are doing it and it would spoil the look of the garden I think - so will try and ignore it I think and keep feeding the shrubs miracle grow to speed them up! Its a shame that other parents dont tell their kids not to lean over fences isnt it!

OP posts:

aimingfor2019 · 27/05/2019 13:26

Could you get a wind break (the type people use at the beach) and put that up when you want to sunbath?
Or a strategically positioned washing line to hang a sheet on?

Popchyk · 27/05/2019 13:29

Put a strategic washing line up.

So running parallel to the fence, a few feet in.

Then stick a large sheet over it whenever you want privacy.

BelindasGleeTeam · 27/05/2019 13:30

You can buy rolls of willow/hazel that attaches to to fence? Can be removed once the hedging grows?

Popchyk · 27/05/2019 13:30

Ha, cross-posted with aiming.

BelindasGleeTeam · 27/05/2019 13:31

Photo didn't attach....

GrandmaSharksDentures · 27/05/2019 13:34

Have you asked the parents to tell their child not to stare into your garden?

aimingfor2019 · 27/05/2019 13:36

@Popchyk great minds think a like!

Auntpetunia2015 · 27/05/2019 13:40

We put a trellis up as a temporary measure and planted some climbers all along so when my neighbour asked why we did it we could say it was for the climbers. The climbers quickly covered the trellis (god love mile a minute clematis) and it gave us our privacy and the climbers stayed once my shrubs had grown so was a win win

Delia65 · 27/05/2019 13:43

How about an electric fence?......

Original poster

palacegirl77 · 27/05/2019 18:39

Oh my god, so glad I asked!! Why have I not thought...our washing line already runs parallel to the fence, so I could easily put up a few sheets lol!! result! Might look at the clematis thing too - they actually have some growing further down on their side so could pretend I want to copy them! Thanks guys!

OP posts:

DustyDoorframes · 28/05/2019 20:28

We have a similar arrangement, except that the first couple of panels are 6ft- privacy near the house, sociable kids playing over the fence further down. Win win.

madcatladyforever · 28/05/2019 20:35

I paid for a new fence on my neighbours side. He wouldn't fix it and it kept falling into my flower bed. Drove me stark raving mad so he said ok cos he didn't want to pay and I put up a very solid 6 foot fence.

Drum2018 · 28/05/2019 20:40

Yes, keep a couple of different coloured bed sheets handy to hang in front of her climbing area on the days you are out - don't even need to be washed. And face your loungers with your backs to their fence.

BubblesBuddy · 29/05/2019 00:29

Most people have a couple of 6ft panels next to the patio for privacy.

FunnyHappyGirl · 29/05/2019 10:20

How about bamboo in planters that can be moved later? (Don't plant them in the ground or you'll end up with a garden that a panda would be very happy in)

Some houses were built near us and they've only got 4 foot wire fencing between the gardens. I suspect they were designed for them to be replaced by the owners, but no-one has and I've always thought it was weird that the gardens look so open to each other! I love my 6 foot fence panels!

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