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Our next door neighbour has a 3ft high wall with a 3ft high very open metal railing fence on top (was installed years to stop his old dog jumping the wall)
We have spoke to him politely about privacy and the fact his garden is built up (decking and patio) so sits higher than ours giving us even less privacy, he is unwilling to do anything about this as its been like this for years and he has no urge to change it
So we said that we would build a fence on our side (6ft high on our side, 5ft high on his) he said he doesn't care what we do as long as it does not touch his wall (wall is old and bowing in places so understandable)
So today we were putting the fence up, 1in away from his wall, posts were postcreted in so nice and secure
Fixed the first panel and he came out and said that the outside of the panel needs to be facing his property by law and we should have the braced side facing ours
Is this correct and if so is still correct when the fence is on our property and isn't on his boundary line?
Rubbish.
His wall is the boundary, you can do whatever the **** you want inside that line.
Tell him to bolt.
Not sure legally but good neighbor relationships are worth far more than a debate over the way a fence faces so I'd just do as he says. You can always board your own side as well if aesthetics bother you.
Nah if he wants to look at a pretty side he can put his hand in his pocket.
If it's not on the boundary then it's not even remotely his concern either
File your neighbour under "chancer"
*Edit there is a difference between good neighbourly relations and being a bullied pushover.
He's being a nob. Ignore him and do what ever you like in your garden.
Ooh this could turn in to a good one. I’d politely tell him to jog on and if he wants pretty fencing to replace the metal one.
I'd put some concrete gravel boards along the bottom to make it 6 foot on his side...do you want him peeking over trying to lord it over you and trying to tell you what you cannot do?!
Back of our garden is a 5ft fence and the garden behind us slightly higher. Might as well not be there for any privacy benefits...
Boundary laws apply to boundaries. The boundary is the wall / fence and your deeds will tell you who owns that (are you certain that it's his?). And even if it were a boundary fence he'd still be talking bollocks, there's no such law.
I’d put some concrete gravel boards along the bottom to make it 6 foot on his side
2m is your height limit without needing planning permission, for reference.
I’d just do as he says.
And that's exactly how bullies operate.
I'd spray a cock & balls onto the offside just to put the miserable shite back in his box, and remind him that if he were to paint over your property it would be criminal damage "by law." But I'm a staunch advocate of "fight bastard with bastard."
Tell him to bollocks. If he doesn't like the fence, you could go for conifers.
Tell him to bollocks. If he doesn’t like the fence, you could go for conifers.
and leylandii!
Although be wary of getting into a neighbour dispute if you are likely to be thinking of selling in the near future..
It's 'convention' to face the nice side of a boundary fence towards your neighbour. In no universe is it enshrined in law. If my neighbour asked nicely, I might consider it, but anyone who starts threatening legals can take a hike.
It's not even the boundary fence!
and leylandii!
No, don’t do that, absolute pain in the ass! While I can trim mine, which I’ve unfortunately inherited, disposing of the trimmings is a nightmare, and I can’t reach the top. I’m getting a mate to cut them down to about 6’, to make life easier, but I might have to consider paying the council to dispose of hedge trimmings.
I kept the crap side inwards on my fence as on the outside made it easier for scroats to climb, this may or may not be applicable depending on where you live 😉
Cheers for all the replies
Kinda guessed he was trying it on
Have put the nice side of the panels facing him for now, mainly to keep the peace plus we are renting our house and he owns his so keeping him happy could stop him complaining to the rental agent
Will let him know that he is wrong though
Going to be a bit blunt here. You have made a stupid choice.
Get the panels turned to suit you and do it now. Bowing to his will is a mistake.
Tbh other than this they have been fine as neighbours for the last 2 years
Were just glad to have some privacy now and we are always looking for a better rental in our area
2m is your height limit without needing planning permission, for reference.
Certainly for garden buildings, the height is measured from the highest adjacent point of land to the structure. In which case, if the neighbours garden is 1ft higher, you can measure from there (so 6ft on his size and 7ft on yours).
(Note this is certainly the case for garden buildings, I would check the legislation for fences!)
keeping him happy could stop him complaining to the rental agent
What's he going to complain about, exactly?
Does he even know who your landlord is?
the height is measured from the highest adjacent point of land to the structure. In which case, if the neighbours garden is 1ft higher
I didn't know that. But in any case it's not adjacent as there's an inch gap (and a wall) so this won't apply? One could theoretically argue that it's "only" an inch but as soon as you do that then at what point is it no longer considered adjacent? How about two inches? Two metres? Two miles?
Get the panels turned to suit you and do it now. Bowing to his will is a mistake.
+1 to this. It's your fence in your (landlord's) garden, he had his chance and refused to play ball. If it bothers him that much he can build his own fence on his side.
Are you allowed to build on rented property, incidentally? You would presumably need the owner's permission? (You could potentially use that as an excuse if you want to avoid confrontation even, "sorry, I'd love to do what you ask, but the landlord's insisted...")
If I had it my way no fences over 3ft would be allowed, it's actutually quite nice to speak to and see neighbours 🤔
No, it isn't 🙂
I have no fence at the front and 5 foot at the back, I can chat at the front and have some privacy out the back. In reality I'd like the back fence a bit higher....
Certainly for garden buildings, the height is measured from the highest adjacent point of land to the structure. In which case, if the neighbours garden is 1ft higher, you can measure from there (so 6ft on his size and 7ft on yours).
But this is up for debate depending on the planning officer. My brother has a planning removal order after having 2 appeals go against him for breaching height limit for a £30k (I know!) Workshop in his garden.
They disagree on what the adjacent point is. He excavated some ground but they insist 'adjacent' is the concrete floor.
Does your neighbour have any sausages or a dog? Do you?
Isn't there a legal minimum gap that needs to be left between a boundary fence and any other fence erected next to it?
As for which way the fence faces do whatever you prefer.