This isn't on is it? (photo)

[HotChoc10]

Our NDNs are building some sort of contraption so they can hang their washing outside even when it's raining, but have screwed the sides of the structure to our side of the fence. I have knocked on the door and they were very apologetic and said they'd reattach it to their side, but nothing yet.

If I ask again and they don't remove them am I in my right to just remove the parts myself and drop the parts round to their house?

I have big plans for the garden and this looks so ugly!

@HotChoc10
Keep leaning over and unscrewing it.

Or.... take the fence panel down for "maintenance" and leave their structure hanging for a few days. Rinse and repeat.

I'm really chilled about some stuff, but I love my garden and spend a lot of money on it. It would really annoy me if someone messed with how it looked.

It's at the back of the garden where I am planning to put a deck on my side, so definitely don't want rainwater coming to rot it.

@80sMum

The way faneces face has been debated to death on here. There is no rule. You can put a fence in however you like.

I've always found it odd though. I always get double walked fences so both sides are the pretty side and the ugly connections are hidden in the middle.

Definitely not new neighbours @80smum! I even took them a box of chocolates to apologise for the disruption when we were having the fence replaced (last December!)

As it’s more than 6ft (I assume) from ground level they need planning permission and if it’s a building structure they may need party wall permission tell them to contact the council and not put it back.

I would drop them a letter.

Dear X

You have attached objects to my fence. The fence solely belongs to me -you don't have permission to attach anything. Please remove it by tomorrow -or I will remove it. I have already asked you to do this but it hasn't happened. You have already damaged my fence to do this -which you are not legally allowed to do.
Likewise you do not have planning permission so please take down the enclosed area next to the fence by tomorrow -not only do you not have permission to erect this but the rain is doing damage as result to the fence.And it looks a right mess. Any work needed to fix the fence or damage to it -you will be liable...........

I don't think this is for washing -I wouldn't be at all suprised if they are planning on roofing and putting sides on this properly. Nip it in the bud. You've asked -if it doesn't come down in 24 hours -send a letter with times and dates on.

If that roof gets a layer of rain puddles on it, or mountains of snow and ice piled on it during winter... would your fence even be strong enough to support that whole side? The whole thing on that side could come down.

Stand your ground here!

One of our neighbours put boxes over the top of our shared fence, so they were in our garden.
They might have been to protect plants, but I just didn’t want them there, he took great offence when I asked him to remove them.

The daft design and build of our houses, means that our garage wall is the boundary of another neighbours garden.

I’m pretty sure he’s attached all sorts to the wall, but can’t prove it, and some time I worried it was his clothes line, but he moved that.

Another unpleasant chap, so I’ve not mentioned it, but would if I had proof

If you can find any regulations on your council website forbidding fences over 6ft, copy the link and post through the door.
There are also rules defining height and proximity of sheds and other tall garden equipment (ie children's climbing frames) so them claiming its not a fence extension won't make it ok

You enforce it by contacting the council and you can always ask them if it is criminal damage if they get funny and attach it to their side of your fence

www.theplayhousecompany.co.uk/planning-guidance

@BobbieDraper yes, of course people can install fences any way they like - and many people prefer the look of the "outside" so choose to have that on the inside instead.

But the traditional way is to have the panels on the outside. When a single-skinned fence is on a boundary, in the absence of any documentary proof, I think ownership of the fence would be deemed to be with the property on the "inside" of the fence.

Definitely instruct the builders to take it down and make good or replace your fence. They know now that they shouldn't have put it up to start with, unless tehy're cowboys like the builders who knocked out a Graded window, (putting in a french door so the homeowners could access a garden which was not theirs) knew they shouldn't be doing it - and that's why they scarpered.

Take the builders' details and threaten them with the Council Planning Dept and claims for damages on your property. Were you out much yesterday - I bet they kept checking for when it would be safe for them to hop over the fence.

I don’t think you need to speak via the daughter, just type a letter in English and add a basic google translate in their language beneath

OP you've just reminded me of a house I rented some years ago. I noticed a somewhat rickety extension next door which, on closer inspection, proved to be constructed entirely of old windows, presumably gleaned from a demolition site then connected to one another. The roof sagged and collected water in the rain which required neighbour to climb up and bale out into my garden. I used to anticipate its having an electrical fault and bursting into flames. Dear me. Moved away quickly.

Definitely remove without apology, and also, as someone has said up thread, how high is it? They may have to take it down anyway as it might be higher than allowed in local planning regs. Assuming that's a 2 meter/6ft high fence, they are well over it. Check with the council. Good luck. They might have to invest in a tumble dryer instead!!!

If you do write a note to push through their door, you should date it and photograph it for your own records first.

It is unattractive but I wouldn’t get worked up about it. They’ve said they’ll take it down so expect they will. It’s definitely not worth falling out with the neighbours about.

That's bang out of order and looks hideous!

Holy cow, what on earth were they thinking? 😲

I usually think fence threads on MN are really precious. Not in this case however. No way would I tolerate that.

Send a letter in bullet points outlining the issues: it's my fence, you can't attach anything either side; your structure breaches planning permission; rain has been coming down my side of the fence and is damaging my new, expensive fencing; I have given you notice to have it removed and nothing has been done so I will by X date. Keep a copy of the letter.

Are the builders British? They should have known better but I'm guessing your NDN are hoping you'll just get used to it and let it pass. No way!

If you can wait .. the first real gale of winter will rip that off!

Thats not just a drying area. It looks like a cheap attempt to build a lean too conservatory. The yellow looking panel doesnt even attach to the roof bit. The open ends will just create a wind tunnel.

Our old neighbours did similar but it was bigger covering the whole yard and was so they could let their many, many pets roam outside in bad weather.
They also highlighted the eyesore with about a million flashing fairy blue lights which were left on permanently.
We were in the process of moving thankfully and sold to a couple who also had loads of pets so all was well.