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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:
TigerLilyTail · 29/05/2022 08:52

It does look awful. Hopefully, they will be decent and replace the fence for you to as it was.

I'm gobsmacked at the "Ooh, just grow some plants to cover it up" responses. Such a long fence must have cost the OP a fortune to install. They had absolutely no right to paint it. She has every right to be upset about this.

DaddysGirl36 · 29/05/2022 09:10

This thread has terrified me. We've just had to put up two new fences, shared over three houses (including mine). We've shared the costs. My next plan is to paint them & I had not considered this might happen - how is this avoided? I really don't want beech wood coloured fences forever

stuntbubbles · 29/05/2022 12:27

@DaddysGirl36 Don’t do it! Grow climbers instead. Fence wood fades and mellows over time anyway.

Mellowyellow222 · 29/05/2022 13:31

I hate trendy colours on wood - prefer a natural look.

My parents did a development recently - put lively new, expensive fences up - task led to the neighbours they were all fine and delighted at the improvements. Came back after the weekend and one neighbour had painted her whole side purple. Yes purple.

it must have been very watery because it ran all through - looked horrendous. There were house viewings booked for that week so my parents had to swap out all the panels for new ones. Neighbour was raging but there really wasn’t anything else they could do - it looked dreadful.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 29/05/2022 13:32

@DaddysGirl36 well if you own the boundary and the fences - you can do what you want with them.
for me, after years of painting fences for myself and family, I wouldn’t bother, just let the plants grow. There doesn’t seem to be any long term gain other than aesthetics. Well, not enough to warrant the time and cost involved.

DaddysGirl36 · 29/05/2022 14:42

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 29/05/2022 13:32

@DaddysGirl36 well if you own the boundary and the fences - you can do what you want with them.
for me, after years of painting fences for myself and family, I wouldn’t bother, just let the plants grow. There doesn’t seem to be any long term gain other than aesthetics. Well, not enough to warrant the time and cost involved.

Shared boundary hence why we all shared the cost. I can't put any plants at the fence as it's my side fence so no room. I was always going to paint & tell them I was doing so but I never imagined it could seep through the other side so obviously wouldn't want to do that

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 29/05/2022 14:48

@DaddysGirl36 talk to your shared fence neighbour - they may want the same colour and no problems. Or you may come to some other agreement. - could you both agree to put up hanging basket on your side or those over the rail baskets at top of the panels. (Note they are heavy when wet, so only small or non may be your options). Or opt to leave it weather, which can also looks nice.
If you do paint them be aware that it will be an annual chore.

tiredmumneedingahug · 29/05/2022 17:21

DaddysGirl36 · 29/05/2022 09:10

This thread has terrified me. We've just had to put up two new fences, shared over three houses (including mine). We've shared the costs. My next plan is to paint them & I had not considered this might happen - how is this avoided? I really don't want beech wood coloured fences forever

If you use the Cuprinol garden sprayer with the brand and finish you want it's a much thinner application. Easier to control the amount going on.

It's just a big domestic spray gun.

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 29/05/2022 19:10

@PigletJohn really interested that you reckon a jet washer will do it. It's definitely seeped through the grain as the staining is in the middle of the planks. It's not dripped through on the surface. Since it's seeped, will a jet washer really fix it? Thanks

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 29/05/2022 19:52

try it.

KatherineofGaunt · 30/05/2022 11:42

Well it may be what's done in other places, but round here all the fences have the good side to the owner, if they have a good and bad side.

TigerLilyTail · 30/05/2022 12:25

It used to be that the "good" side faced outwards.

However, in recent years, the fashion has changed and a lot of people are putting the "good" side facing in.

There's no law on this as long as you don't put your fence on your neighbour's land. It's just a case of preference.

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:10

So an update after our meeting with neighbour... They've used engine oil! They're being awkward about us not willing to match our fencing (why would I paint 200feet of fencing with engine oil, environmentally awful!). And they're saying if they have to re-do fencing then they want to reassess boundary line as they believe it's wrong (if it's wrong it's always been wrong). I could cry! We agreed to meet again with options...

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:11

@PigletJohn what's your thoughts on possibility of removing engine oil?

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 30/05/2022 21:13

Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:10

So an update after our meeting with neighbour... They've used engine oil! They're being awkward about us not willing to match our fencing (why would I paint 200feet of fencing with engine oil, environmentally awful!). And they're saying if they have to re-do fencing then they want to reassess boundary line as they believe it's wrong (if it's wrong it's always been wrong). I could cry! We agreed to meet again with options...

These people are so fucking stupid it's unbelievable. I knew they had used an oil based something or other, but engine oil??!! I'm gobsmacked.

Stand firm and demand they replace you panels. Document everything.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/05/2022 21:14

Do you have a survey of your property lines? If you don't, get one.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 30/05/2022 21:25

Engine oil??? It’s a carcinogen isn’t it? If so you may not have a neighbour problem much longer.
I think your only option is new panels and possibly new plants if that’s dripped on to your soil.

Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:26

This reply has been withdrawn

Hi there OP,
Apologies, we have removed your post because it was extremely identifying. Please feel free to re-post it with the names of the streets scored out?

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:28

Oops ignore the weird yellow lines I added by mistake. Only the one at right angles to the turquoise is relevant!

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:32

They have oiled the whole stretch of fence so it affects about 250 feet of the neighbour (runs right through to front garden, in line with yellow line). It's affected her fence too and weirdly she hasn't yet complained. She has more plant coverage but I can see it from upstairs and still looks awful... she's a bit doddery but I wish she'd complain as neighbours are using it as a reason we may be being unreasonable if she hasnt complained...

OP posts:
BrimFullOfAsher · 30/05/2022 21:34

Fairly sure if it's been 15yrs and you've maintained it without any issue then any discrepancy is irrelevant, it's yours now

Mellowyellow222 · 30/05/2022 21:34

Aw OP this is awful!

I can’t believe they pained your lively new fence in engine oil!

looking at the map I doubt they have a leg to stand on disputing the property line.

what horrible people. Not willing to regift their horrible mistake and trying to scare you.

never face a fence to your neighbour again!

Onemoresleeptogonow · 30/05/2022 21:35

What utter bloody knobs op!!
Imo trellis over it. Send a solicitor letter stating they are not to further damage your property and never speak to the fuckers again. They won't make it good imo. And they won't be able to produce a document stating they are right.

Sswhinesthebest · 30/05/2022 21:38

Talk to your neighbour. She might be more confident in complaining if she knows you have too.

Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 30/05/2022 21:40

@BrimFullOfAsher yes I had heard that. We've only owned the extra land for 2 years, but our lovely neighbour between us sold it to us as seen, and she's been there for donkeys years. So yes the boundary has always been there, but we've only owned it for 2 years... The oily neighbours reckon its a couple of feet out ie it slants in towards them...

OP posts: