New Fence - Neighbours

[bobmac]

Whatever you do, keep talking to them. Tell them what you want to do and if they object, ask them what you could do that they wouldn't object to. After all, you have to live next door to them.
These things can get out of hand when the opposing sides stop talking and if you have to get them to sign something, then ask them in for a coffee and do it nicely.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Thanks bob and yes I've told them I'll keep them involved and said if they have and questions or concerns please tell me. We have the same fence we want to put up other side of house so I took Mr N round to shown him exactly what we are planning - and sensing he was worried about the height I told him that the fence I was showing him was 6ft - he looked unsure so I stood with my back to it and told him that I was just over 5ft10ins. This seemed to reassure him. Biggest problem is his Mrs. I get on fine with Mr N - but my wife and Mrs N can't stand each other.

 

[Baldy Bouncer]

Coming soon to an episode of "Nightmare Neighbours Next Door ".......................:thup::rofl::whoo:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Coming soon to an episode of "Nightmare Neighbours Next Door ".......................:thup::rofl::whoo:

We'll see.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And so it came to pass. A knock on the door an hour ago and Mr N is standing there. And he tells me (somewhat apologetically I think) that they want the existing fence left alone and untouched. Sigh...

And so I wearily ask why. Because it will block out light to our garden - comes then reply. But - I plead - there used to be an 8ft high leylandii hedge where the fence now is (as there used to be before we took it down - it was our hedge).
He knows. But that's their decision.

And so I says - he does realise that we could put up a fence our side of the boundary if we want. He says he knows.

I slump against my door to show my frustration and disbelief. I will get back to him. God knows what my Mrs will say.

 

[TigerIsAmazing]

And so it came to pass. A knock on the door an hour ago and Mr N is standing there. And he tells me (somewhat apologetically I think) that they want the existing fence left alone and untouched. Sigh...

And so I wearily ask why. Because it will block out light to our garden - comes then reply. But - I plead - there used to be an 8ft high leylandii hedge where the fence now is I (as there used to be before we took it down - it was our hedge). he knows. But that's that.

And so I says he does realise that we could put up a fence our side of the boundary if we want. He says he knows.

I slump against my door to show my frustration and disbelief. I will get back to him. God knows what my Mrs will say.

a fence with slats?

Seriously though maybe a compromise is a lower fence (so they get light to their garden and you still get some privacy) but the caveat of that compromise is they share half the costs. Win Win:thup:

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I get the impression the fence could be completely clear and allow all of the light possible and this neighbour would object. Light is todays objection, tomorrow it could be something else. The aim is to be awkward. Some people are just that way.

Have you thought about suggesting planting Leylandi again if the fence is not going to happen? Maybe that suggestion would bring them back to the fence as a compromise. It would just be a bluff but maybe one worth thinking about.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

a fence with slats?

Seriously though maybe a compromise is a lower fence (so they get light to their garden and you still get some privacy) but the caveat of that compromise is they share half the costs. Win Win:thup:

The existing fence is 4'6" panelled with 18" trellis on top. My wive hates Mrs N looking through the trellis - checking on us and what we are doing - seeing if we're planting a shrub that she doesn't like etc. The main reason my wife will pay 100% of the new fence is that she wants that 6ft between us.

 

[chrisd]

Just build the new fence 6 ft high and be done with it!

You've talked to them and, as they have no rights whatsoever, I know I'd just do the new fence and tell Mr Neighbour that as they weren't willing to have any result other than the one THEY wanted you've decided that there is no acceptable compromise open to you both and, therefore, you've gone with your choice. They cannot argue loss of light on a 6ft fence, that argument barely works even for an extension these days - I've just got permission to build an 8,000 square foot industrial unit that is higher than the 5,000 sq ft one that backs on to houses and the Council planner said that loss of light wouldn't be an acceptable objection form the neighbours..

 

[Rooter]

Yeh sounds like you have tried you best to be civil and involve them. I would just crack on and put the new fence up. Why not find out when they are away for the day or week etc and build it then! More fun as you could get a step ladder (to see over your 6ft fence) to see their faces when they return!

 

[Jabba]

You have been very reasonable, maybe it's time to be a touch more assertive.

If the fence is your responsibility then just crack on. If it isn't, or it's shared, inform them of your intention to build an 8 foot fence just inside your property line.

The threat of an 8 foot fence might just persuade them to accede to your original idea.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You have been very reasonable, maybe it's time to be a touch more assertive.

If the fence is your responsibility then just crack on. If it isn't, or it's shared, inform them of your intention to build an 8 foot fence just inside your property line.

The threat of an 8 foot fence might just persuade them to accede to your original idea.

Not allowed to build an 8ft fence - but up to 2m looks to be fine. The existing fence is on the boundary and we shared the cost of erecting it about 17 yrs ago. I told Mr N that I could build one on our land our side of the boundary. Maybe I'll tell him that there is no way that a 6ft fence is going to materially change light into his garden and that we will put a fence up our side (they stopped us doing an extension in the past due to 'light' issues). Or Maybe I just erect 6ft posts our side with an 18" panel at the top.

 

[williamalex1]

Not allowed to build an 8ft fence - but up to 2m looks to be fine. The existing fence is on the boundary and we shared the cost of erecting it about 17 yrs ago. I told Mr N that I could build one on our land our side of the boundary. Maybe I'll tell him that there is no way that a 6ft fence is going to materially change light into his garden and that we will put a fence up our side (they stopped us doing an extension in the past due to 'light' issues). Or Maybe I just erect 6ft posts our side with an 18" panel at the top.

Build and they will come- and chap your door again. A 2metre fence on built on your side is the best option with less hastle , if you can utilise the existing posts. thats what i had to do , I'll try and attatch picture.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm thinking that that is what my wife will demand that we do. Build a fence our side of the boundary.

 

[jp5]

I'd just build the fence and be done with it. You tried to be civil.

 

[andycap]

do away with the trellis , put a gravel board in and replace panels , simple if they are concrete posts , but even if they are timber post its still far easier than a new fence. I would leave the fence up and just put a new one up in front of it , they keep (their ? ) fence and you get your new fence ,

 

[williamalex1]

I'm thinking that that is what my wife will demand that we do. Build a fence our side of the boundary.

View attachment 14916View attachment 14917View attachment 14918This was the end result , I just added a top and bottom rail to existing posts that were on my side , then screwed on the new 2x2 metre panels, leaving the original fence in tact. I didn't even acknowledge one neighbour for almost 10 years before the fence was put up. He eventually saw sense . Best of luck .

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

View attachment 14915View attachment 14916View attachment 14917View attachment 14918This was the end result , I just added a top and bottom rail to existing posts that were on my side , then screwed on the new 2x2 metre panels, leaving the original fence in tact. I didn't even acknowledge one neighbour for almost 10 years before the fence was put up. He eventually saw sense . Best of luck .

Looks really good

You used the existing posts even although you don't own them?

Actually they have a very DIY 1960s lean-to on the back of their house that has the gable closest to us built on the external boundary wall between us (built before we bought the house). So if we did go the route of using the existing posts and they complained we could cite their lean-to

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

do away with the trellis , put a gravel board in and replace panels , simple if they are concrete posts , but even if they are timber post its still far easier than a new fence. I would leave the fence up and just put a new one up in front of it , they keep (their ? ) fence and you get your new fence ,

The trellis on top is what they want left. They have told me they want the fence left as it is. Now do I have any responsibility for that fence or for a share of any costs incurred if they decide to go fixing it up - it is truley knackered,

 

[williamalex1]

You used the existing posts even although you don't own them?

Who said I didn't own them or couldn't attach anything to them .