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Original poster

Garden Fence

28 replies

HoneyB123 · 02/03/2021 20:21

Sorry for the long winded post.
Bit of background, we moved into a Semi 3 yrs ago and at the time not having a fence between was not an issue. There are trees/plants on both sides of the boundary. Over time we noticed what a huge problem the urban foxes were, they run between the gardens and again it wasn't really an issue until we had our lb. we cannot do picnics or barbecues (they come at the slightest hint of food) and we have to be right next to my lb at all times. they hide in the bushes and within seconds they are practically right next to you. we have had a few very scary moments last summer where he crawled over to touch the leaves etc and they have snapped at us. I know a fence wont stop them coming in but it surely will stop this from happening. also with my lb being a bit older he wants to explore and says "mummy I go".

So, the fence is my neighbours responsibility. we had a brief discussion about the foxes and her response was I dont really need a fence as the trees are quite full (they are not) and even if she had the money it wouldnt fix the fix issue. we obviously feel differently as our lb's safety comes first. we also dont have the cash but are will to take a loan to cover. We have looked into it and know that we can do it but would have to sacrifice 30cm from the boundary. my oh thinks that as we are paying, the only way he will go ahead is if we do it on the boundary.

I would like to get this sorted without any issues and would gladly sacrifice the space but see his point too. How would you approach the neighbour though??? They would probably need access on her side to install and this will be our long term home so really dont want to rub anyone up the wrong way.

any advise welcome.
thanks

OP posts:

Howdoin · 02/03/2021 20:31

So, the fence is my neighbours responsibility

Sorry is there a fence that has rotted/broken? Or no fence but it’s her boundary? If the latter then, if you want a fence you might have to put it inside your garden if she doesn’t want a fence.

www.boundary-problems.co.uk/boundary-problems/fences.html

Cyberworrier · 02/03/2021 21:57

We offered to pay for a new fence on the boundary, even though the neighbours own the boundary- as they had refused to repair the damaged one that their dog could stick it’s head through! Was annoying but such a relief to have a proper and safe boundary.
I would propose sharing the cost for fence on the boundary, but be prepared to pay yourself (and have fence in yourgarden as worst case scenario)

Weirdlynormal · 02/03/2021 22:05

I don’t understand why you would give up
30cm. You can put a fence 1cm inside the boundary.

seepingweeping · 02/03/2021 22:15

Cut the plants right back to the boundary and put the fence right at the trees.

BasiliskStare · 03/03/2021 01:41

@HoneyB123 One thing I would say is, apart from any other issue, a fox can easily dig under a fence or scale a 6 ft high one. I do not mean to rain on your parade - all I would say is before you take out a loan or spend lots of money - do check by whatever means you can whether what you are doing will be effective. It would be rubbish to spend a whole load of money and the foxes can still get in.

The may be anecdotal but apparently foxes don't like alpacas. But I realise that might be a rather extreme solution in your garden

I do hope you find an answer - all best to you

Original poster

HoneyB123 · 03/03/2021 08:04

Thanks everyone, perhaps we were misinformed re the 30cm. someone we know of had to do this but perhaps there were other factors in their case. On inspection, there are bits of old, what I would call border fencing, that I would use around flower beds. Also a wall between the houses but this is only right at the back doors for about 2m then the trees take over. we can see through to her and vice versa. in some places the plants have died on both sides, dug up etc. so its just tree stumps with gaps inbetween.

We know a fence wont stop the foxes. But at least we won't have a face appearing from a bush and snapping at my friendly boy or hiding there until they smell food or seeing them dart and chase each other or her cats between the houses. We never see them on the other side or back of the garden as we have proper fencing there. Basically it will allow us to have some reaction time if we see or hear them jumping over. we know tunnelling can be an issue too so we are planning on installing underground mesh wire, seems to keep the rabbits at bay at my in-laws so worth a try and prickle strips will be put down too.

my only dilema is how to approach the neighbour. we really dont want to be falling out with anyone.

OP posts:

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 08:08

I think you’re maybe misinformed, your neighbour has no legal obligation to put a physical fence in, unless there is something in the land deeds?

If you wish a fence you put one up on your side of the boundary.

Weirdlynormal · 03/03/2021 08:11

Just say you will put up a fence on your land. It’s not really a debate, but do it with a smile on you face.

WaltzingBetty · 03/03/2021 08:51

The issue here seems to be that your DO thinks that fencing your garden is your neighbours responsibility. It isn't.

Expecting them to pay is unreasonable. However you should be able to have a fence fitted just alongside the boundary so you don't lose land. Just be careful that you don't damage the neighbours bushes.

I'd suggest speaking to them and discussing the fence placement so that you agree in advance which plants/bushes will be removed on your side and ensuring you're clear about which on her side will stay

Brunt0n · 03/03/2021 08:55

Am I the only one really surprised about these foxes?! You regularly have foxes hiding in the bushes in day light to snap at your child? 😐 I always thought foxes tended to keep to themselves during the day and mostly roamed at night!

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 08:56

Yes, I’m not quite sure of the issue here. Just tell them you’re putting a fence up on your land, this is quite normal? They don’t seem to be saying there should be no fence.

Sleepingdogs12 · 03/03/2021 08:59

I am amazed that the foxes are so bold . I would ask the environmental health officer about this issue and how best to manage it.

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 09:17

I think op the way it’s written has confused everyone. Particularly the point on the non existent fence being the neighbours responsibility.

What you’re saying is you want to put up a fence, but you want it on the boundary so as not to loose any space and made need to access their garden.

It’s not really clear why you’d lose a foot of your garden doing it. Just clear out your border from your side and add thr fence, you can expect them to loose trees if that’s the issue, but you can trim anything over hanging your side.

ChateauMargaux · 03/03/2021 09:57

She said she doesn't need a fence but had she said she would object to you erecting a fence on the boundary at your cost?

Ask her... if she does object, tell her you understand and that you will be erecting one, just inside the boundary...

Original poster

HoneyB123 · 03/03/2021 10:30

On our deeds its states that we are responsible for boundaries to the right of our dwelling as well as to the rear(both have fencing in place). This is also clearly marked on drawings and is the same for everyone on our street. Our local council has not made it clear how a boundary is to be defined only height restrictions advised. On other sites we have found the same as most of you have mentioned - it does not need to be a fence but confusingly we all have the right to privacy... For us the privacy is not an issue, it's about making it safe for our toddler(he could also easily run into there garden and they have building supplies/gardening tools out in the open and its not like we can tell them to put it away. Also my LB is our responsibility and we watch him like a hawk out there but kids want to explore and I want him to be able to run in his own garden without having me calling out about foxes and not to go next door every second.) We want the fence she doesn't so of course we would never ask her to pay or even contribute especially as she has made her known. We were misinformed regarding how far into our land it would need to be if we installed it so thanks to those who have pointed this out. We have looked on many different sites as again the council is no help and did not respond to an email I sent over a week ago(they were my first port of call) My OH was only unhappy about the fact that we would have to lose a foot as well as do the fencing but now its a not an issue, we will simply put it next to the boundary line.

As for the foxes...they are terrible. I called the council when we first moved in as I found one in my kitchen having left the door open on a hot day. Their response was simple, they would only come out if we have a dead or injured fox, otherwise there are not classed as vermin so not a pest control issue. They have dug up our lawn and got under our summerhouse. They trample any plant we try to bed and bring all sorts of things - dead animals/food/ rubbish/other peoples washing etc and wreck the garden all through the summer - not so much in winter. It was a a nightmare last summer trying to have picnics or a bbq is out of the question, they destroyed my lb's paddling pool in 20 minutes - I literally just took him up for a bath and when I came out it was bitten to shreds. We know some neighbors leave food out for them so we assume this is what they expect. They are constantly trying to come over - really close - like one or 2 foot away. I cant even bear the thought of having anyone over. They have snapped at my little one twice with me right there. I dont even want to be out there anymore. The council's "handy" guide states to 1.Remove attraction, 2.Remove the possibility of habitats and 3. to make it unacceptable for them. We have already filled any burrowed holes with gravel. the fence and clearing trees and shrubs so they have nowhere to hide is step 2. I know its not fool proof but we are just trying to do our best.

Sorry for the rambling on, its all very upsetting for me. With regards to how to approach the neighbor - the real reason for the op I will just need to be polite and clear I guess. We are First time home owners so all new to us and just dont want any bad relationships.

OP posts:

Original poster

HoneyB123 · 03/03/2021 10:35

@ChateauMargaux

She said she doesn't need a fence but had she said she would object to you erecting a fence on the boundary at your cost?

Ask her... if she does object, tell her you understand and that you will be erecting one, just inside the boundary...

That is the conversation we need to have now and yes this will be the way forward. She can be a bit prickly with her comments and did not have a good word to say about the previous owners of our house so just want to keep things amicable.

Thank you

OP posts:

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 10:36

Ok. It’s really hard to tell what the issue is, I’m really sorry. I get the foxes are upsetting. But I’m not seeing the issue with the neighbour at all.

Just get some fencing companies in to quote, they will clear the little bit of land required up to your boundary and put the fence in it’s really not a big deal. You then own the fence and are responsible for it. Out of politeness tell the neighbours a fence is going in on your land.

Being responsible for the boundary is not the same as having to fence it. And you manage your own privacy, your neighbours don’t do that for you.

Seeline · 03/03/2021 10:48

I think with a toddler, regardless of the fox issue, you are not unreasonable in wanting some form of barrier between your garden and the neighbouring one. Your neighbour cannot stop you providing a fence on your own property.

With regard to the foxes, we have had great success using an electronic fox deterrent. It emits a very high pitched sound which the foxes don't like and keeps them away. We use one as we were having problems with fox poo all over the garden and we always know when it has accidentally been turned off because more poo appears. It's fine all the time the device is working.

we use this one

Original poster

HoneyB123 · 03/03/2021 10:50

@Bluntness100

Ok. It’s really hard to tell what the issue is, I’m really sorry. I get the foxes are upsetting. But I’m not seeing the issue with the neighbour at all.

Being responsible for the boundary is not the same as having to fence it. And you manage your own privacy, your neighbours don’t do that for you.

I never said there was an issue - I was looking for advice on how to approach our neighbor in the first instance - the rest is just background. I hate confrontation and dont want to say anything that might lead to this.

The rest I have found out now but information is not always clear, not to me as a first time home owner anyway.

To make is clear - we are putting in the fence on our side of the boundary and paying for it, privacy was never our issue but wording on Council sites can be confusing. And yes you are so right it is not a big deal, just seams that way to me at this point in time.

Thanks you for all your comments.

OP posts:

Original poster

HoneyB123 · 03/03/2021 10:54

@Seeline

we use this one

Thank you, I have tried on in the past which was not very successful - (bit cheaper, maybe thats why haha)

Will give this a go though :-)

OP posts:

BasiliskStare · 03/03/2021 12:59

OK so fence seems to be somewhat sorted - google or phone someone who knows about foxes - they like e.g. sheds / summerhouses where they can get underneath and feel cosy. - that + food would seem to be an attraction. I think you need an attack on two fronts here @HoneyB123 - something of a pincer movement .

Wish you al the best

Chumleymouse · 03/03/2021 14:01

Foxes can jump onto and over a six foot high fence no problem so a new fence won’t keep them away. Best way to keep them away is a dog or a pellet gun on the arse , they don’t like either.

I saw a Fox the other evening walking down the street with a bag of chips hanging out its mouth 🤣. Made my day .

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 14:23

@Chumleymouse

Foxes can jump onto and over a six foot high fence no problem so a new fence won’t keep them away. Best way to keep them away is a dog or a pellet gun on the arse , they don’t like either.

I saw a Fox the other evening walking down the street with a bag of chips hanging out its mouth 🤣. Made my day .

Actually foxes can jump three feet. They can climb three feet using their claws but they ain’t going to make the effort unless they think there is something to eat on the other side, as in they don’t do it for the shits and giggles,,

Bluntness100 · 03/03/2021 14:23

Sorry jump three feet, climb six feet.

LolaButt · 03/03/2021 14:32

Is it worth keeping video evidence of the foxes behaviour, and seeing if you can get pp for a taller fence?

What is the existing height of the trees on the boundary? If they’re already quite high there is perhaps less chance of the neighbour objecting?

Sounds awful. Do the sonic repellent things work on foxes?

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