Can I plant a hedge against my neighbour's fence?

[NeverGuessWho]

For context, I am renting a property from my dad, which I will buy once my divorce money comes through.

About three years ago, my neighbours removed a hedge which provided privacy between our two gardens, and replaced it with a fence that is waist height. They asked my permission and I agreed, because I naively assumed they would be replacing the hedge with a fence of a similar height.

I have absolutely not one shred of privacy in my garden as a result of their actions. A few weeks ago, I informed them that I will be planting a hedge for privacy. Three days ago, they informed me that they are going to increase the height of their fence (they don't want me to plant the hedge, I don't think).

I still want to plant the hedge - can I legally do this if they increase the height of their fence, or will that have legal implications for me, given that I won't be able to maintain the fence, and the hedge could damage their fence? I don't know who is responsible for that particular boundary, but will try to find out today.

Thanks to anyone who can advise me.

Your land, you can do what you like. You have no requirement to allow them access to maintain their fence from your side. In terms of damaging the fence, well maybe that could happen with root growth but it’d take many years and I can’t imagine anyone making that much of a fuss unless you fall out of course.

My neighbours entire bramble patch garden is growing up against and pusing over my fence including a hideous Leylandi hedge.

Planting a hedge at the boundary of your garden - of course you can!

Plant away... they have no recourse.

Don’t plant the hedge on the boundary but allow 3ft gap

Yes of course, it’s your land, you can hedge the whole garden if you please. And you don’t need to tell them.