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fencing question

When erecting a dividing fence between gardens, is it correct that you should present the best side to your neighbour? My son has just put up a fence in his front garden and put the good side to himself but his neighbour has gone ballistic over it. he has paid the full cost himself. answers appreciated thanks.
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Comments

  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,481 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Yes, if you are say building a feather edge fence, its custom, not law (I believe) that the aris rails should face your property.
  • savemoney
    savemoney Posts: 18,125 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Perhaps his neighbour would like to get his/her hand out of there pocket to help pay too after all they are benefiting from a new fence.

    I wouldn't thought it makes much difference yes one side is usually better on some fences but I think its petty to argue over it
  • BB1984
    BB1984 Posts: 1,039 Forumite
    My understanding was that you keep the fence posts and fixings on your side, as you are responsible for that boundary, therefore if you need to replace a panel or something you can access it from your own garden.
    Presumably your son had to go into the neighbour's garden in order to fix the fence panels to the posts....TBH if that is the case, I think I would be quite cross too, if done without my consent!
    BB
    :love:"Live long, laugh often, love much":love:
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,481 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    savemoney wrote: »
    Perhaps his neighbour would like to get his/her hand out of there pocket to help pay too after all they are benefiting from a new fence.

    I wouldn't thought it makes much difference yes one side is usually better on some fences but I think its petty to argue over it

    It has nothing to do with 'who paid for it'. Its common courtesy. If you build it, you should have the rails (or rough side) facing your property. Simple panel fences should be very similar on both side, not so with feather edge.

    If you walk along a path how many feather edge fences have their aris rails facing outwards? None.
  • slummymummyof3
    slummymummyof3 Posts: 1,971 Forumite
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    I don't think it is law but many people do it out of believing it is law. The fence we errected which was feather edge, we had the post and rail side facing our garden and the flush side towards the neighbour. On the other side of us, it is another neighbours fence and they certainly don't have it facing nice side towards us - if we were to challenge it, they would tell us where to get off.
    What does your sons neighbour expect to be done about it? The fence is up now so there is little point in him jumping up and down about it.
    As far as I am aware it is not a legal requirement....you could always google it and see if you can get a definative answer.
  • savemoney
    savemoney Posts: 18,125 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Is it written down in law? Fair enough ask neighbour if you encroached on his/her land

    I was mealy suggesting although I could have worded it better that he doesn't mind complaining about which way it faces, but I bet they dont want to help pay for the fence

    Someone has to have the less desirable side of the fence, who would if both went 50/50.

    jimexbox wrote: »
    It has nothing to do with 'who paid for it'. Its common courtesy. If you build it, you should have the rails (or rough side) facing your property. Simple panel fences should be very similar on both side, not so with feather edge.

    If you walk along a path how many feather edge fences have their aris rails facing outwards? None.
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 12,481 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    savemoney wrote: »
    Is it written down in law?

    I already said in my first post that its custom, not law. Not to mention being a good neighbour, who you have to live next to for years. Myself I always try and stay on friendly terms, even if I think they are a complete toss pot.
  • Forris
    Forris Posts: 366 Forumite
    I've always thought that the arris rails should be on the inside. Our next door neighbour's fence is the 'wrong' way round (arris rails on our side), which means that it looks the same all the way round now in our garden.

    Also, from a security point of view, if the rails are on the inside, it makes it harder for anyone to climb in!
  • Barneysmom
    Barneysmom Posts: 10,136 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    It's generally believed that the left-hand fence is yours but it's not true legally.

    I think the op's neighbour is a bit OTT, he should be glad of the new fence.
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  • daveyjp
    daveyjp Posts: 13,621 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ignore the neighbour. If he has a problem he can always erect his own fence. Some people really do need to get a life.
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