Property/DIY
Neighbours have ruined my fence
ElsLouise · 14/03/2023 08:12
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.
ThatsNiceVeryNice · 14/03/2023 08:58
LIZS · 14/03/2023 08:50
@ThatsNiceVeryNice not exactly. It could be their boundary on deeds but not their fence. It looks like a new build so boundaries may not have originally been marked by full height fencing.
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.
DogInATent · 14/03/2023 08:59
SoupDragon · 14/03/2023 08:50
you can have whatever side you want. There is nothing to say you have to give your neighbours the "good" side.
DogInATent · 14/03/2023 08:44
If it's your fence, why have you got the face-side?
But giving them the bad side and then complaining when they apply a stain to make it look nice...
furryfrontbottom · 14/03/2023 09:00
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 14/03/2023 08:54
My neighbours done the exact same thing but with black stain, it looks awful. Trouble is I can't stain it either as I have 4 other neighbours all with different colours and they'd go mad if it seeps through.
No idea what to do.
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.
MountainRinglet · 14/03/2023 09:05
furryfrontbottom · 14/03/2023 09:00
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.
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 14/03/2023 08:54
My neighbours done the exact same thing but with black stain, it looks awful. Trouble is I can't stain it either as I have 4 other neighbours all with different colours and they'd go mad if it seeps through.
No idea what to do.
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.
picklemewalnuts · 14/03/2023 09:07
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.
Tuesdayvibes · 14/03/2023 09:16
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.
HyacinthineMacaw · 14/03/2023 09:21
Tuesdayvibes · 14/03/2023 09:16
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.
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.
TwigTheWonderKid · 14/03/2023 09:24
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.
HyacinthineMacaw · 14/03/2023 10:06
DreamOnDreaming · 14/03/2023 09:54
You can tell which posters buy their fence panels from B&Q and similar places 
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.
Bunnyishotandcross · 14/03/2023 10:10
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..
neilyoungismyhero · 14/03/2023 10:21
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.
Dumpruntime · 14/03/2023 11:29
m00rfarm · 14/03/2023 08:55
I would suggest the people saying that it is not that bad should look at the WHOLE photo and not just the bit that shows on the post. My initial reaction was what were you fussing about, until I saw the whole garden. It looks awful - have you invited them over to see it?
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
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