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.

Plant leylandii

This is one of the few times when the answer is leylandii.

as was suggested above:

• Leylandii OR
• your own 6ft fence and you’ll get privacy, quieter garden (because of 2 fences) and smug feeling that they’ve wasted their money completely on their low fence.

it sounds like it is the neighbour’s fence so they can’t attach anything to it.

They could install a separate full height trellis running along their side of the boundary, though.

Are they watching you in the garden or peeping into your home?

If the latter you can get tinted window films (like mirrored ones or stained glass) that might help.

If its the garden I would either avoid using it (not that you should have to) or use it only for the most boring mundane things (like hanging your socks to dry) hoping they get utterly bored of watching the non show.

1. Can we do something about the fact they promised a certain fence (verbally) and then installed a different one?

No. Why would you think you could?

They don’t even have to have a fence! And you can’t touch theirs.

So unless you build your own fence in your garden then you’re stuck.

I forgot to say: It's a small town house, we barely have a backyard. Not really looking forward to clipping any more of it, with the area required by the fence and posts...

About the Leylandii:

1. Can they sue me if the the roots from my tree lift their very cheaply done lean-to or cause any damage to anything theirs?
2. Can they force me to keep the trees trimmed so that the foliage isn't touching their fence?

You will lose more of your garden if you use Leylandii.
Just go with a 6ft fence. Job done. It also makes their fence entirely pointless and will look crap from their side.

Bamboo all the way. It's the new Leylandii. I have it and it does the job nicely.

As for why we are talking: It's human nature. We sleep literally 2 meters from each other and see each other every day.

Our neighbours haven't shunned them because it's a very homogenous neighborhood and we are the ones sticking out - lesbians and foreigners, too! :O
So, unless we stop talking to everyone in our cul-de-sac, we do find occasions where neighbors are together and chatting.
We mingle because it's too painful socially to be absolutely righteous about it.

The woman works in the council one day per week and she has access to information and the law. Although she doesn't always understand it better than we do (she tried on few occasions to "put us in our place").
But she definitely has some leverage as the police dropped the issues we raised with regards to harassment.

Supposedly, the camera installed on her shed and looking back at the houses was for "catching burglars trying to get in from the back door" and the fact it was focused on our bedroom window was a mistake which they rectified once informed... Case closed.

Your own fence will take up a lot less space than leylandii. You can then cover your fence in trellis and grow climbing plants against it providing even more screening.

we have an awful fence to one side of us- looks run down and tatty. We bought roll out dried bamboo screen and it works a treat and cheap. Put tiny hooks on your side of their fence (I know technically against the rules but they won’t know unless they go on your side) and tie the screening to it. It looks great. Easy to replace when get a bit tatty but most importantly it is very tall.

Something like this?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aluminium-Extendable-Privacy-Protection-Waterproof/dp/B098K65T2T/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=retractable%2Bscreen&qid=1695119920&sr=8-5&th=1

This. My neighbours clearly recently objected to the 5-ish ft fence we put up years ago and put up their own posted trellis their side so not attached to our fence but comes a couple of feet higher and they have grown things against it. Doesn't bother me at all tbh as they are idiots and I would rather not see them anyway so win win.

You could set up a bamboo screen on your side of the fence - it would only need light poles to attach it to (you couldn't attach it to their fence, I think) - and it would not take up an appreciable amount of your garden, @draxdomax. I think it's your only option.

And maybe write 'Wankers' along the top

FunkyBuys Garden Screening, Natural Thick Bamboo Reed Fence Panels for Outdoor Protection | Garden Privacy & Protective Screens for Wind/Sun | Thickness 8mm-10mm (H: 1.5M x L: 3M) https://amzn.eu/d/2HKyEzw

something like this or other types available

If the police won't take action, worth noting you can pursue a civil claim for harassment and can get a civil injunction order - breach of which can be a fine or up to two years in prison.

Get a sail? Put a pole up part way down, and a hook on your house, and fix it up
Like sheets on a washing line. Look into getting one which allows the air through, so it's not banging in the wind and putting a strain on the fixings.

I would put up a new fence. I’d also put up a sunsail/large parasol or similar to block any view they may have of your garden. I’d also paint each slat of your fence the colours of the rainbow facing out, but then I’m very petty 😂

Not Leylandi, unless you want all your garden taken up with them, and enjoy constant hedge trimming!
There are much better choices for a fast growing, easily maintained hedge that will also be nice to look at and support wildlife. Have a look at any reputable hedging supplier, it’s very nearly the best time of year for cheap bare root hedging planting.

Bamboo screening.. it comes nice and high, very light so doesn’t need too many posts to hold it and will block the view. We got ours from B&Q.

Leylandii is never the answer. It's awful.

Bamboo isn't a great choice either.

You need to pay for a new fence on your land. Take lots of photos and measurements beforehand as once you have put up your fence they might take theirs down and gain themselves half a foot of garden

Number 1, yes.

Number 2, they can cut your tree themselves if it hangs over their garden.

They just need to give you the cuttings back which I’m sure they’d happily chuck over so they don’t have to deal with the mess.