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Original poster

Neighbour ruined our fence...

209 replies

Scottishgirl85 · 27/05/2022 20:44

Our neighbour has painted their side of our fence, and it has seeped through to our side... As you can see, it looks ridiculous! This affects about 50foot, but we have about 150foot more of the same fence around other parts of our garden. It's a very open garden so I think we'll need to paint the whole lot. I could cry, we're busy working parents with young children so could really do without this. Do you think neighbour should offer to compensate us? Will be speaking to them tomorrow...

OP posts:
CorsicaDreaming · 28/05/2022 05:21

Scottishgirl85 · 27/05/2022 20:52

Yes it's our fence. And we have soooo much fencing that we'd want to match. Over 200 feet. The ruined portion is 50 feet.

They should pay to replace the 50m that's ruined. Or for panels like the cross cross ones you've got already to cover over them.

Painting could be an option but unless you also want your side black (and I really wouldn't - it's a beautiful natural wood colour) any lighter shade may have trouble covering it.

I suspect they won't realise at all that this has happened.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 28/05/2022 05:54

Absolute bastards, they have no right whatsoever to touch your fence. I'd take them to small claims and get a new fence.

Tashface · 28/05/2022 06:11

"Because that is not going to just sand /bleach out."

No idea if bleaching works, but it would be a little bit funny if OP used so much bleach that it had the same effect on the neighbour's side 😁

SantiMakesMeLaugh · 28/05/2022 06:35

Scottishgirl85 · 27/05/2022 21:49

Trellising the whole back of garden might be good solution, thanks for suggestion! Honestly it looks like tar, no idea what stuff they've used. And it's a decorator they've paid to do the work!

The fact it’s a decorator that did the job might you be your saviour there.
Could they go back to the decorator to show them what has happened and said decorator can then claim in his own insurance? (Assuming they have an insurance for that sort if issue)

HappyHappyHermit · 28/05/2022 06:45

It's a bit annoying and yes they should have been more careful, but I'd probably just grow some lovely plants up it to hide it. It looks a bit bare as it is anyway.

HappyHappyHermit · 28/05/2022 06:45

That said, neighbour should pay for the plants!

custardbear · 28/05/2022 06:47

Bloody hell! Glad they're on board about sorting it out

KatherineofGaunt · 28/05/2022 07:22

That looks awful! I'm glad they've agreed to come and sort it out with you. But I'd be looking for replacement fencing, rather than painting it all (I like normal fence colour!).

On a different note, I can't believe you had a massive new fence put in and gave yourselves the 'bad side'!

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 28/05/2022 07:27

@HappyHappyHermit yes it is actually really bare along the back. We've only fairly recently landscaped the back of the garden so the plants are quite new and therefore still small. We have climbing roses at the trellises but they'll take years to establish, and honestly the way it's seeped through there is no covering it with plants! It'll either be paint it (which we don't want to do due to maintenance), trellis it all (might look odd and to be honest I can still see it through trellises!), or replace panels.
Thanks so much for your thoughts everyone, it's good to know I'm not over-reacting!
I'll update the thread on Monday when neighbour has been over...

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 28/05/2022 07:32

If it is an ordinary water-based fence stain then yes, a jet washer will blast it off back to bare wood. It will, leave the surface slightly roughened, and it may look cleaner than unwashed parts for a while.

Fence stain is a waxy film, not like real paint.

Easier than you might think. Use a fan jet and stand no closer than necessary.

A hundred times easier than sanding or scraping.

ballsdeep · 28/05/2022 07:35

Afterfire · 27/05/2022 21:02

Well, no, they’re perfectly entitled to paint their side of the fence. But to have it go through to the other side like that is dreadful.

Show quote history

They may think it is their fence as the posts are on ops side.

Foolsrule · 28/05/2022 07:39

@KatherineofGaunt - that’s just normal and helps to denote who owns the fence.

SunshineCake · 28/05/2022 07:42

Hopefully they will sort it.

We had similar when our neighbours painted their fence. We painted over it as not as bad as yours and both sides were painted. It is a difficult one as fences are built in a way that makes this very likely but you didn't sign up for this, bought fences that don't need painting and they will have to clean it off. Don't agree to anything else as you bought these panels so you didn't have to paint them.

Weirdlynormal · 28/05/2022 07:51

On a different note, I can't believe you had a massive new fence put in and gave yourselves the 'bad side'!

that’s the way it’s supposed to work! It’s more secure too.

Ferngreen · 28/05/2022 07:55

You could get a quote from a gardener to plant shrubs etc in front of it then ask nieghbour for generous contribution.
Imv these larchlap fences are not attractive. I would fill a couple metres in front of it with a range of shrubs/tree and maybe somethings growing on the fence.

Anonnnnnnm · 28/05/2022 07:57

They probably don't realise. Do you get on with them? You have a few options. Paint over it and move on. Try to remove it. Replace the panels if they are yours. Go and speak to neighbour and see how they react...

QuebecBagnet · 28/05/2022 08:02

We have a border of a breeze block wall which neighbours own. I asked permission before painting our side even though I knew it wouldn’t seep through etc because I knew legally I should ask.

your neighbour is an idiot. I’d be wanting it replaced

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 28/05/2022 08:07

@KatherineofGaunt @ballsdeep you are meant to give your neighbours the good side when you fit a fence. It's good etiquette 😀

OP posts:
TibetanTerrah · 28/05/2022 08:21

Scottishgirl85 · 28/05/2022 08:07

@KatherineofGaunt @ballsdeep you are meant to give your neighbours the good side when you fit a fence. It's good etiquette 😀

I've never understood what kind of martyr came up with that "rule". I don't have a garden but if I'm paying £££ for a fence, like fuck am I having the bad side! My DM has the good side of her fence, and next door the other side has the good side of theirs.

picklemewalnuts · 28/05/2022 08:22

Please don't let them paint all your sides! It just extends the problem for everyone else and for years!

It's an expensive lesson for them, but they need to replace it.

The other solution would be to put horizontal or diagonal batons along your side to break it up, so the shadows mask the splotches. It would look quite good, actually! Think railway gothic fences.

SoupDragon · 28/05/2022 09:30

TibetanTerrah · 28/05/2022 08:21

I've never understood what kind of martyr came up with that "rule". I don't have a garden but if I'm paying £££ for a fence, like fuck am I having the bad side! My DM has the good side of her fence, and next door the other side has the good side of theirs.

Show quote history

It's easier to climb up the "bad" side and into your garden if you have the "good" side facing yours.

of course, the answer it to have fence panels that a good on both sides.I do.

toomuchlaundry · 28/05/2022 09:37

Surely you have the posts on your side as they are on your land

Zemw · 28/05/2022 09:40

Christ what paint did they use !!

vanguardian · 28/05/2022 09:46

KatherineofGaunt · 28/05/2022 07:22

That looks awful! I'm glad they've agreed to come and sort it out with you. But I'd be looking for replacement fencing, rather than painting it all (I like normal fence colour!).

On a different note, I can't believe you had a massive new fence put in and gave yourselves the 'bad side'!

That’s what you’re supposed to do @KatherineofGaunt…

Sswhinesthebest · 28/05/2022 09:51

Perhaps get them to pay for some more mature plants?

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