Neighbours painted out new fence

[refreshingseahorse]

Discovered today that our neighbours have painted their side of our year old fence. They didn't ask. There are dribbles of paint coming through. I'll talk to them tomorrow but what is normal to ask for in this situation? For them to clean it? Replace it?
Thanks in advance

@boobot1

people who take pride in their homes, people who care how their garden looks, people who have spent a fortune putting in a new fence - that's who.

@refreshingseahorse

I don't know what I'd do, but I know I'd need a couple of days to think about it before telling them what absolute thunder cubts they are and asking how they're going to fix the situation.

it isn't their to paint. It's your fence!! If they wanted to paint a fence they should have bloody well bought a fence or at the VERY BERY least asked you if you would be ok with them painting your fence.

mind you, these threads always show up the people who are so entitled (& ignorant to the law) . It's unsurprising to find them IRL.

i hope it's not purple!

😂

As I said, I do agree that people should ask their neighbour if they want to paint the other side of the fence they own. (Our neighbours always ask us. We don't ask anyone, as the other side of the garden is hedges!)

But the very idea of someone taking their neighbour to court, for painting their side of the fence, and the court telling the neighbour to buy a new fence is just farcical. FFS! 😆 The most that would happen is they would be told by the court, to repaint the fence-owner's side of the fence in the colour they painted it in. Why the feck would the neighbour have to replace the fence?! FFS! 😂

Even so, I can imagine most courts laughing at someone trying to sue their neighbour for painting the other side of the fence. I mean WTAF?! 😆

Did you want them to just leave it unprotected and rot?

Literally not the law. It’s not their fence to paint. It’s really simple.

Oh and the reason they replaced it was because we didn’t want the whole 3 sides painted. We had already treated it. We were perfectly reasonable when we asked them to make as was but as I said they laughed. And refused. So we got a lawyer involved and it ended up with them having to replace because going to court would have been more costly. Also, because they were like many here and totally entitled they shot themselves in the foot because we also learnt their hanging plants were damaging the panels. That WE paid for.

You can think it’s ridiculous but if people work hard and pay for something no one has the right to damage it or make it less than. And this is clearly set out in law, largely because boundary disputes are so common and, as shown here, people are clueless and entitled.

if you want free access to do what you want to a fence install your own on your side of the boundary. Problem solved.

What are some of you fencing your gardens with? Unpainted fence panels don’t rot, they’re made from treated wood.

Personally I’d take it as an honest mistake and sort out the drips myself by sanding, pressure washing or paint stripping. The fence isn’t brand new if it’s been up a year and while the neighbours were annoyingly careless it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things

I'd consult a solicitor and then have the solicitor accompany me to a meeting with the neighbours. Asking them to replace the fence they have damaged.

I paid quite a bit extra for cedar and it would be a huge deal to me if anyone unilaterally decided to paint it. Especially as it's fully inside the property boundary.

They would be forking out 10k for a replacement or see me initiating a lawsuit.

@Lilliesandjasmine

And factually the police would laugh in your face and tell you it was civil dispute.😂

No one is suggesting going to the police 🙄

@boobot1

The pettiness of some people is scary. Who gives a shit?

What's petty about not wanting people to print your property?

Presumably you'd be ok if your neighbour painted the side of your house that faced them too then?

@Lilliesandjasmine

yeah sure!!!

but keep digging, it's hilarious

Exactly. Fencing is very expensive.

No, they aren’t allowed to paint the fence the OP owns. They also can’t attach anything to it.

It isn’t their fence and they have broken the law.

Twenty five years on, I realise you’re generally only responsible for one side of the garden in regard to owning/replacing fence panels

@Anewuser - this isn’t true; it can vary widely.

@boobot1

It's on their property, they're looking at it. Never had an issue with this ever. Had lots of properties. I paint my side they paint theirs. What ever they like. Whoever put it up. Worse things to worry about really
If it's the OPs fence then it's not on the neighbour's property though is it. It may be facing the neighbour but then so is the side of your house. You ok with them painting that too?

Depending on the wood chosen it can cost many thousands to have a fence built.

I can't understand how anyone would be happy with a neighbour painting a brand new solid cedar or oak fence some hideous colour when the whole reason you spent so much was because you wanted the beauty of the natural treated wood.

Maybe the people ok with it have shitty softwood fences.

If the fence is in your boundary then a neighbour painting it is no different from them painting the side of your house that faces them. If they don't like the look of your fence then they can build their own fence inside their side of the boundary

It is criminal damage. 🤷🏼‍♀️Just because you think it’s no biggie, doesn’t put you above the law.

Maybe you should have been clear with your neighbours before you had the fence constructed. Our neighbours built a wall when they had their kitchen extension done. They think it's gorgeous. We think it's hideous. We've stuck hanging baskets all over it to obscure it on our side. Why should we have to look at it?

This is the exact opposite of another post going around. Orange fence, up a year, but the OP in the other post hasn't painted it yet but wants to........

Is it a shared fenced or did you replace it? The advice on the other thread is if you replaced it, it's your fence/ property. Probably depends on how badly you want a pleasant neighbour relationship.

“…been clear…”
You mean asked them for permission?
The OP built a fence on her property. She didn’t need to discuss anything with anybody except to acquire the proper permits.

Tough darts if you think your neighbor’s wall is hideous - you didn’t pay for it, it isn’t on your property and that’s the end of it. It may come as a surprise, but not everybody is here to accommodate you.
They didn’t have to ask you if you liked it or wanted it or even if you approved. Poor you - why should your delicate sensibilities be subjected to a wall?
“Not in my back yard,” am I right?
Sheezus.
You poor, poor homeowner..
The neighborly thing would be to just grin & bear it — I’m sure the multiple hanging baskets sent the message you intended.
As did the wall. lol

😂

Solicitor would advise a pre action letter. No meeting.

'@Lilliesandjasmine

I’m an avid gardener, I’d still not take issue with a neighbour painting their side of the fence, in fact I’d encourage it.'

Exactly.

It makes an area look better when people take care of their garden and regularly paint their fences.

It helps protect the wood and makes everything look nice and tidy.

I think some people just wake up every morning looking for reasons to get offended...

And a declarable neighbour dispute when you come to selling.