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Neighbours washing line attached to my wooden fence

smiffy3594T-DPtmeEsmiffy3594T-DPtmeE Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Back story - New neighbours moved in last year in the process of them updating their garden they damaged two of my wooden fence panels (which I informed them about both times) luckily we (I mean me & my dad not the neighbours) could fix as one panel had the bottom battens broken as they had jammed wood cutoffs between their shed and the fence which broke the batten and another they levelled part of the garden and the earth they laid buckled another panel and broke that bottom batten.

After that they took it on themselves and thought it a good idea to attach a hook on a top wooden batten of one of the other fence panels for their washing line !!  I said to them last year the fence especially the batten is not structurally sound to hold the weight of washing on the line - for a while they tied their washing line around their exterior wall light .... this year they are hooking it back on the fence when I initially spoke to them I didn't ask them or remove the hook myself as I thought it had been sorted.

My question is can I remove the hook ?

They are not the most respectful neighbours loud music / loud singing and it appears they have selective memories too as the washing line is back to being hooked on the fence !

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If you are sure it is your fence and not shared, you could simply snip the washing line and remove the hook.
    You've obviously tried to explain the situation to them and if they choose to ignore it, there is little else you can do.
    Not an ideal solution I admit but as so often happens in these situations, give them an inch and they will take a mile.
    Just make sure that the fence does belong to you ( check your house deeds with the Land Registry ) before you do anything.  Best of luck  :)

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Or just remove the hook and leave the washing line dangling .They’ll just think the hook fell off .Once they’ve put another one back and you’ve removed it ad infinitum ,they’ll buy a rotary one .
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    In case of escalating nastiness, I'd always put your feelings in writing and DELIVER them, rather than rely on the mail.  Ask them to indemnify you against damage to YOUR fence if, as Philippa says, you're sure it is yours.  People who are irresponsible generally dislike being put on the spot in that way.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's your fence so yes, you can remove the hook they've put into it - it's your property they are damaging.
    Obviously a fence won't take the weight of wet washing as you've already told them.
    I'd write to them and as suggested above deliver the letter stating that it is your fence and they have no right to use or cause damage to it and that in 24 hours you will unscrew the hook.

    You could always speak with your local council about problem neighbours and they will explain what you can do about it. It's completely confidential and they give good advice.
    They will probably also offer to write to them on your behalf if you want them to.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I sympathize,folk who know me on here,are aware of all my long standing problems..... neighbour and fence related. Is it possible for you to post a discrete picture of hook,I can't visualise how this works, surely for washing,a line would need to be pretty high up? Do you own the property? That would have a bearing. If you do,and Deeds confirm this fence is your responsibility,they cannot attach anything without your permission.Rented is slightly more complex. My daughter lives in a HA house, attached house is private rented. Fence fell down,she spent over 2years communicating with the HA,who told her it was the neighbours responsibility,then recently, guess what....they discovered it was actually theirs,and they have finally replaced it. I would process with caution though, even when you are in the right,it's never a good idea to get on the wrong side of neighbours!
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