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.

[ElsLouise]

What do you suggest is a resolution then? That would be a more helpful comment

[PragmaticWench]

I'd want them to replace the panels. You can't stain it (any why should you) without doing all the rest and they may not be your fences, so your other neighbours would then be pissed off.

[C4tastrophe]

@ElsLouise

What do you suggest is a resolution then? That would be a more helpful comment

Stain your side, move on in life.

[SinisterKnitter]

Once you've planted up your garden it really won't be that noticeable. At the moment it's all you can see so it looks much worse.

[dudsville]

It's awful, but it's a waste for the planet to put that wood in the rubbish. A nice paint is the best option even though it's not your preference.

[Honeyroar]

I understand your annoyance, but I’d stain your own side, it would look much smarter. Yes wood naturally goes that light, silvery colour, but the next stage is rotten wood. Your fence will last a lot longer if you add a bit of treatment every couple of years.

[Hedgesfullofbirds]

And this is the reason why panel fences, which are an abomination anyway (light excluding, visually intrusive, high maintenance and of absolutely no wildlife benefit), should be replaced with natural, native hedges

[bussteward]

@dudsville

It's awful, but it's a waste for the planet to put that wood in the rubbish. A nice paint is the best option even though it's not your preference.

Yes. Paint and hate.

[Alwayswonderedwhy]

It looks pretty bad but I'd just paint it a similar colour. It would look much less noticeable if you had a boarder too. The lack of plants makes the fence stand out like a sore thumb.

[gogohmm]

To be honest your fence needs treating. They need it every few years

[Silverlog]

Decide what outcome you want and invite them over to look at it from your side.

[Dumpruntime]

@ElsLouise

I totally agree with this. But these are new build houses and they had been in 3 weeks 🤦🏼‍♀️ the fences were brand new!

That’s shocking, that doesn’t look like a new fence. It looks weathered and aged and in need of treating, I’m sorry but a thing of beauty it was not

[ElsLouise]

Wow, and you call me a joy to live beside?! Pettiness is not something I'd entertain, being reasonable however, is. Doesn't sound like something you'd understand though based on your personal reaction to your own neighbours. Shame.

[ElsLouise]

It is a new build, I didn't erect the fence. Also, we have the nice side because the fence their side is on top of a 5 foot wall!! So even more so baffling as to why they decided to do this when they dont even look at it directly like I do every day.

[donquixotedelamancha]

I totally agree with this. But these are new build houses and they had been in 3 weeks 🤦🏼‍♀️ the fences were brand new!

In that case they were almost certainly pressure treated lumber and don't need staining at all.

I would probably just accept staining your side the same colour (or paint it) at their expense but, if you really prefer the natural colour, you are within your rights to ask them to replace the fencing.

If you do insist they replace it, you will probably need to go to court.

[Viviennemary]

It looks dreadful. Does this mean the stain has come through on your side. In which case they are out of order.

[Dumpruntime]

In that case they were almost certainly pressure treated lumber and don't need staining at all

that’s a misconception and quite a common one. Staining prevents mould, mildew, insect damage etc. and is actually recommended for pressure treated lumbar.

if assume they did it for aesthetics. As much as some folks on this thread like that untreated look, I don’t, I think it looks unfinished and unattractive. So I’d also have stained them. I’m wondering if they used a spray gun and that’s the issue. They have undoubtedly fucked up.

op if you really don’t wish to stain your fence, I’d call your insurer they can sort it out with their insurer for accidental damage,

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

It looks really bad and it's a horrible stain.

In reality you won't get them to replace the fence but I'd go for trying to get them to pay to have yours painted/ sprayed as that won't be cheap. Try and remember you have to live next to these people so you need to keep it civil.

[Dumpruntime]

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

It looks really bad and it's a horrible stain.

In reality you won't get them to replace the fence but I'd go for trying to get them to pay to have yours painted/ sprayed as that won't be cheap. Try and remember you have to live next to these people so you need to keep it civil.

She might be able to get them to replace. She needs to go via her insurers. It shouldn’t impact her premiums as it’s not her who caused the damage, so it will be the neighbours.

id speak to the insurance and say your neighbours have accidentally damaged your fence and see what they say.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

@Hedgesfullofbirds

And this is the reason why panel fences, which are an abomination anyway (light excluding, visually intrusive, high maintenance and of absolutely no wildlife benefit), should be replaced with natural, native hedges

Not everyone has a garden big enough for that. My garden is 8' wide. I'd have nothing left if I had a bloody hedge all the way around!

If my neighbour did that to my fence I'd probably grudgingly accept I had to stain my side but I'd want them to pay to have it done professionally. There's no way I'd be doing it and idiots like that wouldn't be setting foot in my garden in case they caused more damage.

[OnaBegonia]

I just wanted to say that the cat does not look impressed 😸😸

[SilentHedges]

Annoying yes, but I'd stain it and treat it so it blends and or plant some foliage. There is nothing I can see in your garden that would support or sustain wildlife and insects, so some bushes would be lovely and solve two issues.

[donttellmehesalive]

You are being daft. It might be your fence but it's perfectly normal for people to stain or paint the side they have to look at. They might have done it to improve the appearance or to protect it from weathering. Our neighbours used to tell us when they were doing it and say that they'd try their best not to get any on our side, but it's inevitable. Why can't people be bloody reasonable anywhere, feels like everyone is always spoiling for a fight over fuck all. So now you've fallen out with your neighbours and they're telling everyone you're dicks.

[TheFlis12345]

Only on mumsnet could the person whose new and expensive property was illegally damaged be called the dick, rather than the people who did the damage 🙄

[donttellmehesalive]

@TheFlis12345

Only on mumsnet could the person whose new and expensive property was illegally damaged be called the dick, rather than the people who did the damage 🙄

Was op going to leave it unprotected forever?

Or expect to access the neighbour's garden to stain that side?

People stain 'their' side of a fence. Ridiculous to be this dramatic about it.