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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:
QuebecBagnet · 30/05/2022 21:41

Twats. Shitty update. At least they’re not your next door neighbours. I’d send them a solicitors letter saying they are not to touch the boundary again as it’s your fence. If you can’t afford to replace it then plants up against it I guess.

Housewife01 · 30/05/2022 21:42

From the LR screen the boundary line looks very clear don't think they have any arguments there especially as you had it surveyed 2 years ago. It sounds like they just want to be awkward. Stick to your guns and ask for new panels to replace the one's you bought and they ruined! Maybe try and catch the other neighbour to discuss the fence issue also and ask that they support you with it, if they know you have said something it might make them feel more comfortable saying something!
As PP said, as they had someone out to do it and it has made a mess, hopefully their insurance would cover replacement.

TheSpottedZebra · 30/05/2022 21:42

Does your neighbour know how bad it is? Or that it's engine oil?
I'd be raging at this, and want to pursue.

stuntbubbles · 30/05/2022 21:44

Wankers. Funny how they’ve only got an issue with the boundary after they’ve ruined your fence. Who the fuck paints a fence with engine oil?!

LouScot · 30/05/2022 21:45

Sorry if I've missed this very obvious point but wtf were they doing using engine oil on their fence?!?!

Housewife01 · 30/05/2022 21:45

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

Correct, the cut off is 10 years exclusive use (adverse possession). They could never claim the land back at this point by saying "they think it's wrong".

clippety clop · 30/05/2022 21:46

@Scottishgirl85 your plan reveals your address you might want to ask for it to be deleted.

Re oily neighbour, if they knew the boundary was wrong why haven't they addressed it, especially when your house went up for sale.

The fact nobody else has complained doesn't mean they're not happy. If it's your fence you are within your right to want it rectifying!

Don't back down until you're happy with the solution.

Takeitonthechin · 30/05/2022 21:47

It looks an absolute mess, I'd ask them round to look at the mess they've caused, explain the fence which you paid for belongs to you and that it never needed painting/ staining and then ask how they intend to put it right?!

Aquamarine1029 · 30/05/2022 21:50

Based on your update that you clearly own the land, and your neighbours are full of shit, I would be going straight to a solicitor and having them assist you.

bloodyunicorns · 30/05/2022 21:51

Are they actual idiots?? Engine oil for a fence??? Dear God. And they are CFs for only note saying that they boundary is wrong.

Get them to replace all damaged fence panels, the idiots.

BackToTheTop · 30/05/2022 21:55

I'd be asking them to replace the fence and that you'll happily respond to any solicitor letters re the boundaries. They are CF but I think this isn't going to go well and you might be looking at a spotty fence for some time

Limer · 30/05/2022 21:58

Engine oil???? And I guess from the colour that it's old, used engine oil. I bet plenty of that has splashed on the ground too.

You can't paint or stain over that to disguise it. The whole fence will need replacing. Consult a solicitor before you meet up again - when is that?

TokyoSushi · 30/05/2022 22:00

Oh OP, what a nightmare. As PP said, it looks like they need to replace the fence. Say you'd be happy to respond to any solicitors letters regarding the boundary.

worriedatthistime · 30/05/2022 22:02

Can you even legally use engine oil for such a purpose as it will leach in to environment and isn't it flammable ? I would be speaking to eho as well

Oceanus · 30/05/2022 22:08

I'm sorry, can sb please explain to me what this "engine oil" is? English isn't my first language so maybe sth got lost in translation...? Is this a type of paint I've never heard of or is the actual oil that you put in engines..? If it's actual oil it'll probably take aaaages to dry and will seep into the ground, contaminate it and well, kill the plants sooner or later? Unless they used special engine oil, but then again who uses engine oil as paint?!

WoolyMammoth55 · 30/05/2022 22:09

OP I'm really sorry about this - their response is so gutting, especially after how promising the initial email seemed.

They are in the wrong, on everything - not their fence to alter without permission, not using paint but dousing it in engine oil, and now instead of making things right they're coming at you with an out of date boundary dispute even though you've got a surveyor's report covering you...

BUT. But, but. If they are as much CF's as they seem then your chance of getting any money or a reasonable solution from them is slim to none.

A quick google shows engine oil works by staining, i.e. deeply penetrating the wood - it's basically impossible to remove and can only be painted over.

So on the whole if I were you I'd be looking at solutions that you can fund yourself - perhaps buy another 50 feet laid up against it, and this time have the "good side" of the fence facing you?

It's not fair AT ALL but sometimes in life it's better to just take action to solve the problem and go back to being happy, vs wasting precious days of your life stressing about other people being dicks...

Wish you all the best whatever you decide Flowers

pizzaand · 30/05/2022 22:11

Engine oil was really common in the 70s/80s along with creosote which is now banned. I'm amazed anyone would still use it. It stains everything including hands if you touch it years later

Purpleheadgirl · 30/05/2022 22:19

I imagine that house insurance could be used if they keep being "difficult"

PigletJohn · 30/05/2022 22:28

I have heard of old engine oil being used on fenceposts to delay rot. I can only imagine some disreputable cowboy putting it on a fence. I understand it is treated as toxic waste and you are prohibited from putting it on the ground or pollute waterways. wood soaked in oil is also a fire hazrd and will smell unpleasant

if you want to, you can consult whoever at your local authority deals with pollution issues.

PigletJohn · 30/05/2022 22:30

more on here

www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/topics/oil.htm

PigletJohn · 30/05/2022 22:33

possibly
www.gov.uk/report-an-environmental-incident

if severe

CoralBells · 30/05/2022 22:50

Sorry to read that. I had a feeling they'd become less amenable when they realised how much it would cost them. I'd probably tell them to go ahead with checking the boundary

Nanny0gg · 30/05/2022 22:50

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.

Bet they've used creosote (or the equivalent)

It's your fence and it's damaged. Be prepared to fall out over it and probably use a solicitor

TurquoiseSwirl · 30/05/2022 22:53

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

Sorry this is wrong legally. It’s not their fence and they have to have permission to paint their side, this is a common misconception that you’re allowed o paint your side. It’s only if it’s a shared fence, most neighbours are sensible and ask/check.

Oceanus · 30/05/2022 22:54

Holy moly! Never ever had I heard of using engine oil to paint fences. I feel like I've heard it all now... until the next weird post! Hahaha! I'd heard of creosote but didn't think it was black though.

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