Neighbours have ruined my fence

[ElsLouise]

Very long story short, but my new neighbour has ruined our fence (in our deeds) by staining their side without our permission. They lied and told me it was a treatment, when I asked them when it would dry clear (which they also assured me it would do!) As it's a stain, it cannot be jet washed or sanded off. It's affected about 30/40ft of around 120ft of our boundary. We hate the colour so will not be staining ours, plus it would only damage our other fences when it seeps through. I just want to know where I stand. I've reached out, they offered to go halves on the stain (jokers!!... Not happening) in my eyes the only way to rectify this is by replacing the whole thing. I've read that this is criminal damage?

I've reached out and they were semi playing ball, then she deleted Facebook so I posted her a note and have not heard back so will be knocking on her door this week but wanted some further info first. They also have stopped painting the rest of their fences which to me proves guilt!

Excuse the dead winter grass these images were taken last year lol. It's died down a little but the darkness is still there.

The OP and her neighbour both agree that it's her fence. Suggesting it wasn't simply because it was facing the 'wrong' way was incorrect.

Yes ownership of fences and boundaries-might not match up but this isn't relevant here. As a newer build property it's likely that the deeds are clear and that the ownership of the fence and boundary is stipulated.

But giving them the bad side and then complaining when they apply a stain to make it look nice...

Put up your own fences next to the neighbours' fences, then you will effectively have your own fence all around the garden and can paint it or do what you like with it.

No this is what the neighbour should have done, rather than staining without asking permission. Why should the op pay out? I really like the weathered look of these fences, they normally have some treatment in them already. That brown stain looks awful. I'd be annoyed too and I'm pretty sure the law is on your side op.

Maybe you could put up a trellis and grow something up the fence? Some types of climbing rose or clematis grow quite quickly. Or even a "mile a minute" vine, which has lovely scented flowers .

Sorry furryfrontbottom just realised your were replying to someone else 😬

I cant believe people think this is ok.

That wood is supposed to age to a beautiful silver colour. It's not supposed to be painted like a seaside wall.

It is ruined. It's not dry and in need of a coat of something. It's stained and spoiled. I'd be furious.

@ElsLouise

I'd be furious too. It's your fence & looks bloody awful!!

natural wood, weathered, is much nicer than stained wood.

I don't know what you can do legally, BUT I'd be finding out & doing that!!

Good Luck!!

Even the cat looks horrified.

To those saying, it looks lovely and doesn't need to be treated because fence panels come pre-treated. Utter nonsense! Yes they come pre-treated but you also need to re-treat them, ideally every year or every couple of years. Exposure to sun and rain damages the wood and once the water can get deep into the wood it will start rotting away.

Once you start painting/treating them it's an ongoing job.

My fences in my last two houses did ten years and 20 years with no sign of age or damage.

Painting that kind of fence wood is vandalism.

Yep, exactly. The initial treatment lasts a few years, but after that you need to protect the wood from weather. Some treatments last up to five years if properly applied, but need to be redone regularly.

Yes, they shouldn't have done it and I would definitely get them round to see the damage.

However, I don't understand why anyone would want to have such an enormous bare expanse of fence in their garden. Imagine how beautiful it would look if you get rid of that gravel and plant some lovely, compact trees and climbers along there. You'll cover the mess and gain a much more attractive garden.

Paint it a deep forest green, or deep grey. It will cover that and be fine

how about putting plants (or in pots) in front of the fence if you no longer like the look of it?

You can tell which posters buy their fence panels from B&Q and similar places

Too late now anyway.
As PP have said, just stain your side and be done with it.
Choose your battles carefully. When you come to sell, you need to declare disputes.

Wow.

No. Mine are done by fencing specialists, who advise on when retreatment is needed. But anyway - your snobbery aside…

I am a building conservation specialist, so I have a technical understanding of how various materials perform.

Ndn did the same to me years ago. Solicitor sent her a letter. They had to allow me onto their property to maintain my fence and I painted it the colour I wanted. She seethed at the window. I cared not one jot.. She had stained it brown and it has seeped through. I went over it black and she had to live with it..

Nice cat!

I did this years ago, stupidly didn't realise it had seeped through to my neighbours, not only that I had used a spray gun and also managed to spray her washing and decking slightly. She didn't mention it for years and when she did there was no criticism. I was appalled. Always think twice now when repainting the fence. I apologised for being a bellend of course.
Your fence does look awful OP I'd be annoyed too.

If you just stain your side, it'll look better. The fence looks very weathered anyway - it could only be improved. Don't be precious.

You can either a) have a massive and debilitating scrap with them over this, or b) paint over your side.

Most people would choose b) because they don't want bad relations with their neighbours and they have got better things to do with their time.

Here’s a grip OP. It looks a mess but is hardly ‘ruined’. I do have to wonder how some people cope with adult life.

I love it when someone comes on acting like everyone’s an idiot who doesn’t know how to look at a photo. Listen here folks, this is how to mumsnet 😂

we have looked at the whole photo. It’s nothing a stain won’t fix. Give over