Neighbour has just lowered the fence!

[draxdomax]

We are end of terrace and are responsible for the fence to the left of us.
Having trouble with the neighbor to the right.

Bit of history: We started off alright but then we caught them spying on us (we are a F+F couple and I guess they find us interesting or disagreeable).
The police got involved and caught them with cameras illegally set up.
There was also evidence they were following us around the street and taking pictures and posting to channels (those pictures eventually reached us).

We didn't talk for 3 years.
Then, a common friend has died and we simply started talking again after meeting at the funeral.
Even started greeting each other and being somewhat pleasant.

Few days ago, neighbor approached and said he's having the fence between us changed.
It is indeed an old fence that would probably crumble this winter.
We asked him how high the new fence is going to be - he answered "as high as the old one".

Today, their fencing worker came with the fence panels and, not only that they are much shorter but they also have a "see-through" top section...
We've gone from 2m cover to 1m cover and feel naked, especially these are unpleasant and conflictive people with VERY keen interest in us.

My partner went to talk to them and the wife just laughed in her face "haha we don't care, it doesn't matter what we said"...

So, we are enemies again :/

1. Can we do something about the fact they promised a certain fence (verbally) and then installed a different one?
2. Can I attach something from my side on their fence? Thinking to get some sort of sheet material that will cover up to 6"... Or at least cover the see-through part of the fence

Any ideas, discussion, suggestions welcome.

Bamboo in pots all along the fence line.

I'd let ivy loose on it, it'll be ruined in a year

You could install your own fence, alongside theirs but not touching.

Its an expensive option but you could put six foot fences within your boundary and as close to their fence without encroaching on their land on touching their fence.

You would need their permission to attach things to their fence.

Or as PP suggested, bamboo in pots or 6 foot-ish shrubs/trees.

You can't legally do anything to their fence (pending any fence rules in your deeds) but you can put your own fence on your side.

Just put your own fence up
there’s nothing to stop them taking the fence down altogether

I have massive issues with my neighbours too. Something similar happened with me and I put up 6ft bamboo screening. I got the bamboo screening and folded it in half so it was double thickness.

It meant we couldn't see each other at all for a long time. It brought me a level of peace I didn't know existed. But unfortunately after a couple of years it snapped in the wind one particular bad winter.

It was different for me because I had paid for the fence so I wasn't bothered about drilling into it to secure the bamboo. I'm not sure if you'd be able to do that?

Having bad neighbours is the worst.

Unfortunately, all you can do is put up your own high fence within your boundary or plant tall things.

I’d be putting my own solid fence up at maximum height - 6ft I think? Make sure you attach nothing to theirs. @draxdomax massive squishes on this. I’d be laughing at them having to look at a back of fence above theirs. Tits.

This. Just make sure any animals wouldn't get trapped in the gap.

If it is their fence they can build it whatever height they like, or remove it entirely. You cannot attach anything to it without their permission.

As previous posters have said, your only options are to put up a new fence yourself within your boundary or some other form of screening that does not interfere with their fence.

Put up another fence right next to theirs on your side.

How about a row of pleached trees along the fence?

You can't control their fence, in fact there is no requirement for them to have a fence at all as long as the boundary is marked. BUT you can install your own (duplicate) fence on your land. I think the max height allowed is 2m for a rear garden and 1m for front. Or, less aggressively plant tall screening plants along your side of the boundary. (I don't think you can attach trellis to their fence without their permission)

End this now- 6 foot solid fence all the way. Small price to pay for your mh being better!

Can you just add hedges in your side and block them out? I dont think you should speak to them. Just do what you need to on your side.

also why would you ever speak to them again. These people sound like they belong in jail… filming you??

Stick some pleached fruit trees in. Much prettier than a higher fence but still
gives cover

yes I am completely baffled as to why you'd start talking to these people again TBH?

We had a foot high fence with nd. We replaced with a 6 foot one after their ddog started shitting on our side. I was pregnant and wasn't dealing with that and a dc... They turned very abusive.... Reported him to his boss and had a solicitor send them a letter... They moved soon after..

I am so sorry you have such creepy, vile neighbours.

Out of pettiness I would look at how much it would cost to get some Harris fencing with raggy blue tarp attached. Then put that down the boundary for as long as you can tolerate it. Their fence will look beautiful with that behind it.

For a quick cheap option you can get expanding (plastic) leaf covered trellis you can place on top of the open section. Then plant something quick climbing and wait for it to cover the trellis.

Why is bamboo being suggested every time there is a fence post?

it’s not very tall, it’s in pans it’s expensive.

You need some fast growing climbers. I won’t suggest anything, because it depends on your soil and position, but it’s much faster and cheaper than bamboo.

I'd be moving if I could as that sounds awful. I'd put my own 6ft fence up on my side.

Leylandii. I’d plant them this weekend and go as tall as you can afford.