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Neighbour issue

sandhutsandhut Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all,
Please, I need some advice with backup written evidence please. Also, I am not very good at writing long paragraphs with a sequence so bear with my question.
Here are the questions:

One of the Neighbours' fences fell down during the storm and a gap was formed (their whole boundary fence was in a state of disrepair). I asked nearby construction personnel to board( 2ft high) it up for me as they were working at the back of my back garden. They kindly did it for me. I got this done so my dog would not escape to their garden.

The neighbor immediately came out and said the board was ugly and I could not board anything on their fence. I explained that my dog would go to their garden and they would not like it. They wanted us to take it off at once and would not listen to my side of the reasoning. I asked the construction personnel and they took it off reluctantly.

I asked the neighbors when they would have the fence panel and said not till I have done the house extension( as they feel their fence will be damaged during construction) and will only have a green fence net for the time being.

Where do I stand on this?? As I do not like the green net as it is intrusive on both sides. 

Your advice will be appreciated.


Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2022
    Hello @sandhut and welcome to the forum  :)

    It is your responsibility to prevent your dog from straying onto your neighbour's property, so you will need to put up some sort of temporary fencing until the neighbours have replaced their fence.

    Unless their deeds state that they must fence their garden, they could even decide never to replace the fence.  It will then be your responsibility to erect and maintain a permanent barrier to contain your pet, but you cannot fix anything to their fence or their fenceposts. 

    In your situation I would put up with the green net fence until your extension is completed.  

    I hope that is helpful and clear.   :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    My understanding is the neighbours are holding the cards. It is their fence and so they are right in saying, albeit rather selfishly, that you have no right to attach boarding to the broken section. Nor, indeed, do they have any duty to repair the fence at all.

    Should you want to pen your dog the onus is on you to erect fencing on your land just inside the boundary line that is a bone of contention. If the green netting is displeasing to you it can be screened with planting but presumably the netting will be gone by the time the plants reach sufficient maturity. 

    It sounds like your relationship with the neighbour is on the cusp of breaking down. When your building work takes place in the near future it is a very good idea to have them onside so the builders can work without hassle from the other side of the fence. In summary, I would hold back from confrontation and try metaphorically if not literally to repair the fence. Good neighbourly relations are priceless - as well as possibly saving you kennelling costs when you go on holiday!
    Rutland, England
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    sandhut said:


    I asked the neighbors when they would have the fence panel and said not till I have done the house extension( as they feel their fence will be damaged during construction) and will only have a green fence net for the time being.

    Is it likely to be?
    Call me Mr Cynical but has your house extesion in some why put their nose out of joint?
  • sandhutsandhut Posts: 3
    Ok.
    Some facts
    1. previously, We repaired the two panels on their fences and we paid for them. 
    2. House extension work has not started at all. They have a huge extension that extends to the middle of the garden. That is 3x times the size of our house.
    3. They knew our house will be extended even before we bought the house.

    Anyway, they are acting within their rights. We will just put a fence panel and two posts for privacy's sake.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I don't think many neighbours will erupt like that without cause, and what Chris-P-Bacon says might have a ring of truth about it?  Is there an ongoing issue from the previous owners?
  • sandhutsandhut Posts: 3
    The previous owners- had a wild woodland garden. Never tended to the garden for over 20-30 years. Could be over 40 even. 
    The Neighbours did ask them to-tend to the garden. There were trees that have never been trimmed.
    the previous owners were too old and budget constrained to do it.
    In the end , after buying the house, we hired tree surgeons and gardeners to clear the garden as a gesture of goodwill to neighbours to both of sides of the house and they requested it. (Proof on text messages). 

    From now, I will be keeping quiet. And see how it goes. 
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