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New neighbours asked if they could take my fence down

467 replies

ellogov · 20/02/2026 18:22

Around two years ago, I put up a fence to divide my driveway from my neighbours. I made sure it was entirely on my side, not intruding on their area at all. The reason behind this was that they kept using my side to move their cars around, and they, along with their guests, would walk up and down my side to get around their vehicles all the time. They weren’t thrilled about it, but I was already doing some renovations, so I used that as my excuse. I never actually told them the real reason, though I have a feeling they figured it out. The driveways are pretty narrow, but that’s just how they were constructed. I had mine widened last year, so it’s much better now.

They moved out in September. New neighbours moved in just before Christmas, and they seem nice. I’ve chatted with them a few times, asking how they’re settling in. This morning, they asked how I’d feel about taking the fence down. They mentioned it’s because they don’t have much space and offered to pay for its removal. I’m a bit torn on what to do. While they seem friendly, I’m concerned they might end up being like the previous neighbours. If they’re really in need of more space, they could always pay to widen their side, and even though they’ve offered to cover the removal costs, it doesn’t compensate for the money I spent putting it up last year, and I’d have to pay again to put up another one if they start taking advantage of the situation.

What do you think? Should I say no sorry and keep them separate?

OP posts:
tealandteal · 20/02/2026 18:24

They won’t have any more space if the fence comes down, unless they start using your space. I would say no. Good fences make good neighbours.

whysorude · 20/02/2026 18:24

Keep as is.

onelumporthree · 20/02/2026 18:24

Keep it there. It is entirely on your land, and if their driveway isn't wide enough, they can widen it on the garden side.

Chasingsquirrels · 20/02/2026 18:25

Of course you say no.
If their side is too narrow and that is their reason for asking for it to be removed then they obviously want to impinge on your space.

Just say you are happy with the fence and have no intention of removing it.

Stillhere83 · 20/02/2026 18:25

Definitely not - they clearly want to use your side too! If their cars don't fit on their drive, then they just don't have as much parking space as they thought with the house - they need to find another solution to that or have one on the road.

Overthebow · 20/02/2026 18:26

Keep the fence. They want to use your drive, otherwise they wouldn’t need the fence down.

LIZS · 20/02/2026 18:27

No, you would just open yourself up to same problem.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 20/02/2026 18:28

Absolutely not.
Tell them you put the fence up entirely within your boundary due to previous neighbours & their visitors taking liberties with your drive.

If they need more room then they can pay to widen their driveway as you have. You could be nice & pass on the details of the contractor you used.

Mumteedum · 20/02/2026 18:28

Cheeky buggers!

AccidentallyPorked · 20/02/2026 18:29

tealandteal · 20/02/2026 18:24

They won’t have any more space if the fence comes down, unless they start using your space. I would say no. Good fences make good neighbours.

This! How will your fence coming down make their drive bigger, unless they mean they want access to your drive...

YourGreenCat · 20/02/2026 18:29

If you were not happy with the previous neighbours using your property, why would you be happy for the new ones to do that?

I would just play stupid if it's easier: oh don't worry, the fence is on MY property, it doesn't encroach on yours and leave it as that. Or carry on that you pay to increase your drive to make your life easier.

People might find it irritating,, but it saves a lot of argument when you are playing stupid 😂. It can be awkward to tell them: I don't want you using my drive! (and why should you)

You have done the right thing by putting a fence.

JustAnotherWhinger · 20/02/2026 18:30

I bet they offered to pay for its removal 😂 Cheeky sods. I bet they’re not offering to reimburse you for the fence (removing it is bound to be cheaper).

it only gives them more space if they start using your drive, which the previous neighbours doing was the reason you got the fence in the first place!

Gingercar · 20/02/2026 18:32

No need to play stupid or anything else, just say. no, you like your fence and your privacy thank you.

whattheysay · 20/02/2026 18:33

No don’t do it. They knew what space they had when they bought the house but now they want to use your space. You were annoyed enough with the last neighbours to put a fence up so why don’t think you won’t be annoyed now by the new neighbours doing the same thing

YourGreenCat · 20/02/2026 18:33

Gingercar · 20/02/2026 18:32

No need to play stupid or anything else, just say. no, you like your fence and your privacy thank you.

not everyone find it easy to be firm! If they did, there would be no thread on Mn 😂

HappyFace2025 · 20/02/2026 18:33

Your fence is on your ground. Do not take it down.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 20/02/2026 18:33

"Hi Dave and Kim,
I like my fence and it's on my land so the best solution for you guys is probably to widen your drive like I have.
Let me know of you want the tradesman details.
Byeeeee"

CactusSwoonedEnding · 20/02/2026 18:35

I think it would be reasonable to say something like : "you are right that the driveways are narrow, that's why I had my driveway widened. Taking the fence down would only give you more space if you intend to use my land, and I wouldn't be happy with that, so it's best that you get the extra space you want by widening your driveway as I have"

SatsumaDog · 20/02/2026 18:35

I wouldn’t entertain taking it down. They intend to do the same thing your old neighbours did. If they want to have a wider driveway let them do it by expanding onto their own land, like you did.

ellogov · 20/02/2026 18:36

tealandteal · 20/02/2026 18:24

They won’t have any more space if the fence comes down, unless they start using your space. I would say no. Good fences make good neighbours.

I thought that too, but I couldn't say it without it sounding like I was accusing them. It doesn't really make much sense, but clearly, they just want the cheapest option. There's a space on the road outside my house that I told them to use if they needed a place to park. It's a public road anyway, so they're welcome to do that, and as long as they leave me a little room to get in and out of the driveway, I wouldn't care. My driveway can fit 3 cars, so my guests can always park in front of me if they need to.

OP posts:
YourWinter · 20/02/2026 18:36

Don’t do it, point out that you have space simply because you had your side widened, and they can do the same.

Bonkers1966 · 20/02/2026 18:37

Say no and explain about their predecessors taking the mick.

LandOfFruitAndNut · 20/02/2026 18:37

Can’t you ask them why?

PashaMinaMio · 20/02/2026 18:40

Removing your fence won’t make much difference and they’ll probably start encroaching like the others did.
No is a complete sentence.
Just tell them to fork out and widen their drive like you’ve done.
Stay strong. Be resolute.

Tablesandchairs23 · 20/02/2026 18:40

Say no they'll only use your drive.

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