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.

[donquixotedelamancha]

Was op going to leave it unprotected forever? Or expect to access the neighbour's garden to stain that side?

Treated lumber doesn't need staining.

[donttellmehesalive]

@donquixotedelamancha

Was op going to leave it unprotected forever? Or expect to access the neighbour's garden to stain that side?

Treated lumber doesn't need staining.

Yes it does. Pressure treating wood doesn't prevent it from being susceptible to sun and water damage.

[torquewench]

I cant figure out why the OP is worried about a fence in a garden that looks totally uncared for.

It'll fade anyway in time.

[Arrrrrrragghhh]

Op the fence stain is the least of your problems with that garden. You’ve made zero effort with it yourself.

How you can complain about what is an easy fix is frankly unbelievable.

[Sunriseinwonderland]

It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. This is your property. You have paid for the fence and they have no right to do this.
As I see it you have three choices.
Do nothing for the sake of neighbourhood peace and fume quietly.
Take them to small claims court and recoup the cost of the fence.
Get someone in to spray stain your side of the fence, much easier than painting it yourself and send them the bill.
I'd probably go for number three and stick pins in their effigies.

[bussteward]

@Arrrrrrragghhh

Op the fence stain is the least of your problems with that garden. You’ve made zero effort with it yourself.

How you can complain about what is an easy fix is frankly unbelievable.

Are you serious?! It’s HER garden: she can have it look how she likes, and it’s HER fence: ditto. It might not be to your taste but not everyone has the time, money, energy, resources or interest to garden, especially when they have to spend their time undoing the mess their neighbours have created.

The fence is her property and looked how she wanted it to look; her neighbours have ruined it. Why shouldn’t she complain? Just because you don’t like her garden? What a crock.

[DeadOrchid]

@Arrrrrrragghhh

Op the fence stain is the least of your problems with that garden. You’ve made zero effort with it yourself.

How you can complain about what is an easy fix is frankly unbelievable.

It’s a new build. The fence has been up for 3 weeks so I suspect the OP hasn’t had time to sort the garden yet.

It’s not a simple as just staining to match - they would need to do all 3 sides which would affect other neighbours.

[Arrrrrrragghhh]

@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 🙄

The fence is outside where it will be damaged daily by sun, rain and wind.
You could argue that neighbours staining the fence is improving it’s life not damaging it.

Not only is it an easy fix with paint or plants but will either will improve the garden and therefore house value.

Or the Op could fall out with the neighbours and possibly drag the value down . This is why people are saying Op is a dick.

[KalvinPhillipsBoots]

It's not ruined at all, I like it actually.

[CleaningOutMyCloset]

It doesn't look great, but in your shoes I'd just stain your side. It's a good thing to do anyway and it protects the fence. It's not a hill I'd be willing to die on tbh

[Candleabra]

My neighbours did this. I have dark grey streaks all over my fence. They were apologetic but there’s not much that can be done once the paint is on. I don’t want to paint my fence. I’ve dug a big border next to the fence so it’ll be covered with plants and shrubs in a couple of years

[Newyeardietstartstomorrow]

It looks horrible op, I'm not surprised you are upset. I don't think the pp telling you to get a grip realise how expensive fencing is. The garden looks a bit stark, can you put trellis and plants up to break it up, at the neighbour's cost.

[Arrrrrrragghhh]

@DeadOrchid Fair point about not being long in.
Easier to paint or stain a fence with nothing in it. There is no need at all to have all fences matching.
Op clearly wouldn’t paint or grow anything up anyone else’s fence as it’s illegal and damaging. What are they going do when the neighbours on the other side paint their fence too though?

[MyBrotherIsATit]

I’m with you, the stain colour is bloody awful and I prefer a natural fence. I would need to stain it back to the original colour and if it seeped through to the neighbours side, we’ll so be it.

[CellophaneFlower]

@DeadOrchid

It’s a new build. The fence has been up for 3 weeks so I suspect the OP hasn’t had time to sort the garden yet.

It’s not a simple as just staining to match - they would need to do all 3 sides which would affect other neighbours.

Well it hasn't, seeing as the pics were taken last year, but irrelevant anyway! The fence needs to be replaced.

Cannot believe the replies on here. OP's property has been damaged and can't be fixed in a way she's happy with.

[CellophaneFlower]

@KalvinPhillipsBoots

It's not ruined at all, I like it actually.

I'm not sure patches of seeping brown stain is an effect anybody would go for 🤔

[VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji]

I’d use the wood stain remover you can get in tool station etc. it’s been damp lately so you’ll stand half a chance.

it’s not worth falling out with neighbours completely over.

[TheFlis12345]

@torquewench

I cant figure out why the OP is worried about a fence in a garden that looks totally uncared for.

It'll fade anyway in time.

If you actually read the thread she says she only moved in 3 weeks ago, give her a chance!

[OriginalUsername2]

@DreamOnDreaming

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

Heaven forbid! I always purchase my fences from Le Fence De Poshe.

[C4tastrophe]

@OriginalUsername2

Heaven forbid! I always purchase my fences from Le Fence De Poshe.

How very common of you.
I have mine made on site by an artisanal fence creator.
Doesn’t everyone?

[ClaudiaWankleman]

@DeadOrchid

It’s a new build. The fence has been up for 3 weeks so I suspect the OP hasn’t had time to sort the garden yet.

It’s not a simple as just staining to match - they would need to do all 3 sides which would affect other neighbours.

Well the pictures were taken last year so that's at least 4 months. Add the time between installation and moving into the property - easily 6 months or longer - and we're at 10 months. The fence looks like it's been there for quite a while, doesn't it? It's a bit grotty even without the uneven stain.

Staining one side of it is certainly a good thing. Staining the other can only be better.

[jimjamy]

If you are thinking of "replacing the whole thing", you might get away with just replacing the featherboard and gravelboards (ie leave posts and rails). Try to match up materials with your other fences, even by contacting original supplier. The rails and posts on the other side would look weird, but I guess that's not your problem.
I think that's what I would do. And I'd try to get some money out of neighbour. And tell them to stop painting your things.

[jimjamy]

Oh and if the treatment has waterproofed one side, it will tend to warp the wood.

[LivelyBlake]

I'd paint it dark grey, put some trellis up and and grow a mix of climbing plants

[user1492757084]

Have you tried oiling the fence with a preservative product?
Your fence will last longer.
Perhaps that is what they used and it soaked in. Or maybe they used a stain. You could experiment with oils that soak in (like Linseed oil based from paint shop). They might be only half as dark but might make the darker marks less noticable.
Ask the paint shop. There could be a product that will dry the same colour as your fence.
Your neighbours should pay for whatever remedy you find that fixes the problem to your liking but I think replacing the fence is unwarranted.