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Original poster

Neighbours got contractor to remove panels from my fence

57 replies

Finemjen · 09/07/2025 03:11

Thoughts please. Fence was built on my side of the property line in the same place as previous one that had deteriorated, and I paid for it - neighbour was aware l as I gave her the land survey and we talked about it going back in exactly the same place as the old fence for several weeks beforehand, gave her 24 hours notice of fence installation and requested access we needed to her property. Unbeknown to me, my neighbour had contacted our contractor who had installed the fence and told him to remove fence panels - and he did! Without asking me. I was working from home and heard a drill, looked out of window and saw him do it, and then walk off with the panels. He’d parked round the corner so I wouldn’t see him. Can’t believe it! What would you do?

OP posts:
cherrycherrypickin · 09/07/2025 03:16

I'd speak to the neighbour asap. Or ask the contractor WTH he was doing as he was walking off with my fence panel.

DPotter · 09/07/2025 03:30

Get on the phone to him asap and ask him what he was doing and why is he taking instructions from someone who didn't pay for the work to be done.

Then tell the neighbour to wind her neck in and stop interfering with your property. Get angry and get calm and demand answers and restitution without delay

Steelworks · 09/07/2025 04:14

Phone the contractor asap!

Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 04:44

i did call the contractor, and he eventually picked up after a couple of calls and emails and he told me she didn’t like a couple of the panels so he removed them. WTF? He said he is going to put them back but I’m stressed about future interaction with him and my neighbour - is it theft if he puts them back? Property damage? Should I report him, but not sure who to if I did. My neighbour refused to talk to me but sent me a text saying she didn’t like it and could do what she wanted on her side of the fence. The fence was complete and I’d paid him in full on a Monday so I’m completely blindsided and shocked and not sure what to do next. I can’t sleep!

OP posts:
heldinadream · 09/07/2025 05:03

Can you ask your insurers? I imagine they'd be able to advise you. One of those bonkers situations where I read it and think - where do people acquire the chutzpah to behave so badly? She removed your fences because she didn't like them? I mean, what? 😱
Keep us posted @Finemjen .

JustMyView13 · 09/07/2025 05:18

Call citizens advice.
They will file a report with trading standards.
Also, if you paid on Cc raise a dispute about the transaction with them.
Take lots of photo’s.
Technically, this is between you & the contractor. If the neighbour told him to go play on the motorway, I’m presuming he would not do that? He shouldn’t be taking instruction from random anybodies in respect of your property.

CarlaLemarchant · 09/07/2025 05:20

It’s definitely your boundary right? Then threaten legal action to both the contractor and the neighbour if the fence panels aren’t returned exactly as they were.

It is theft. I wonder if she paid your contractor a separate fee to do it.

CarlaLemarchant · 09/07/2025 05:23

You will presumably have proof by way of an invoice that you paid for those fence panels, so if they’ve now been taken then it is theft and they can be reported to the police.

Ohthatsabitshit · 09/07/2025 05:31

Photos are going to be very helpful as are copies of all texts emails and if possible record what you’ve said in calls to everyone with times and dates. Tell him to put your panels back immediately (which I think you have). Expect the neighbour to be pissed off because people who behave abominably like to get their own way. You haven’t done anything wrong.

rwalker · 09/07/2025 05:37

I’ve done similar with my fence it’s just my side of the boundary
and to be fair it’s not very obvious that it’s not a joint fence or just on my land
text your neighbour reiterating that it’s just yours on your land and lf she doesn’t like it she’s free to put her own up parallel to yours on here own land

Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 05:43

Yes, definitely in our boundary, and I paid for it and the agreement for the fence is between me and the contractor. I have the invoices and he confirmed payment in full. Still in shock and disbelief. Yeah, I’m wondering why on earth he did it - maybe she did pay him, just doesn’t make any sense. thinking of getting cameras installed - worried what they may do next.

OP posts:
SparklyGlitterballs · 09/07/2025 05:45

Don't be afraid of your neighbour. She doesn't give a toss about you so return that energy.

My neighbour refused to talk to me but sent me a text saying she didn’t like it and could do what she wanted on her side of the fence.

Point out that YOUR fence was built YOUR SIDE of the property line and she therefore has no rights to touch it as it's not on her land. Her removing it was criminal damage/theft. If she wants to build something her side to disguise it then she can, but she can't touch or remove your property on your land. Neither can she paint it, attach anything to it or grow anything against it without your permission. Stand up for your rights otherwise she'll walk all over you. Do it by text if you're nervous to do it face to face.

You need a separate conversation with the contractor as his agreement was with you and you were the paying customer. He should not have taken instruction from the neighbour, nor removed your property that you'd paid for.

Steelworks · 09/07/2025 07:26

I’m actually gobsmacked that he had the audacity to remove them! Even if she did pay him, who dues that. Why would you pay a lot of money to have them installed, for them to be removed straight away!

CaptainFuture · 09/07/2025 07:30

Am bamboozled to why she'd ask and why they'd do it! Removed them to make fence less long, or less high?

rightoguvnor · 09/07/2025 07:49

If she does not like the look of the fence panels on YOUR property then she is free to erect her own fence on HER side of the boundary and this would be the logical conclusion. I think this is happening more and more these days, not just for cosmetic reasons but where the owner is not willing to maintain a decent boundary even when land registry shows it is their responsibility the solution is to build your own fence just within your side of the boundary. And if you are bearing the cost then neighbours don’t get to choose the finish.
High fences and thick hedges = good neighbours in my view.

SprayWhiteDung · 09/07/2025 09:13

What did she so starkly dislike about those particular fence panels? Did they not look enough like the Mona Lisa, which the other ones presumably did?

I bet they were those rectangular wooden sort of fence panels that some people have - horrific.

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 09/07/2025 09:15

Paint them with anti burglar paint.. And get cctv up.

whynotmereally · 09/07/2025 09:19

Remind her it’s your property and if she removes it that's theft. Remind the contractor too. Be clear if it happens again you will report it to police

Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 11:59

SprayWhiteDung · 09/07/2025 09:13

What did she so starkly dislike about those particular fence panels? Did they not look enough like the Mona Lisa, which the other ones presumably did?

I bet they were those rectangular wooden sort of fence panels that some people have - horrific.

she said they were not part of the fence (?) and didn’t like how they looked. I don’t fully understand - I’m starting to think it was a power play but not yet sure how she got our contractor to agree to dismantle the fence we’d paid him to build.

OP posts:
Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 11:59

whynotmereally · 09/07/2025 09:19

Remind her it’s your property and if she removes it that's theft. Remind the contractor too. Be clear if it happens again you will report it to police

Good advice - will do this, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 12:00

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 09/07/2025 09:15

Paint them with anti burglar paint.. And get cctv up.

good advice - considering this

OP posts:
Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 12:02

rightoguvnor · 09/07/2025 07:49

If she does not like the look of the fence panels on YOUR property then she is free to erect her own fence on HER side of the boundary and this would be the logical conclusion. I think this is happening more and more these days, not just for cosmetic reasons but where the owner is not willing to maintain a decent boundary even when land registry shows it is their responsibility the solution is to build your own fence just within your side of the boundary. And if you are bearing the cost then neighbours don’t get to choose the finish.
High fences and thick hedges = good neighbours in my view.

I’m definitely going to tell her this - it is a 6ft privacy fence - agree!

OP posts:
Original poster
Finemjen · 09/07/2025 12:03

Ohthatsabitshit · 09/07/2025 05:31

Photos are going to be very helpful as are copies of all texts emails and if possible record what you’ve said in calls to everyone with times and dates. Tell him to put your panels back immediately (which I think you have). Expect the neighbour to be pissed off because people who behave abominably like to get their own way. You haven’t done anything wrong.

Thank you!

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 09/07/2025 12:04

Finemjen · 09/07/2025 11:59

Good advice - will do this, thanks

Show quote history

Tell ndn and contractor if they damage, remove or touch your fence again without your permission you will contact the police. Do not pay to have it put back, ask contractor for evidence she asked him to remove it.

Tollington · 09/07/2025 12:18

Surely this is theft as your fence has been taken