Council property fencing

playgirl83

Hiya

I am wondering if anyone could give me any advice or information.

Our house is a council property and our back garden backs onto a school. The school have put a large metal fence at the back, which is secure, but gives us no privacy. The property to our left has just been bought by the same school, and between us there is no fence. There was a couple of years ago a chain link, but it was so badly damaged we had to remove it (this is how long it has taken for the council to come and look!!)

Eventually I had to right to my local MP to get the council to look. They have been and now are saying they will put up a chain link fence, this will still not give us any security or privacy!!!!

So anyway, can the council do this??? Even though around the area people are having wooden panels put up whenever they feel like it. And I should mention to the right of our property the council placed a 3 foot fence to replace the old chain link...

Sorry if this make no sense....I am one for rambling especially when mad!!!!

Look forward to hear from someone who can help

WestonDave

At the end of the day if they are responsible for putting up a fence they also have the choice of what to put up - i.e. the cheapest solution. I'm not aware of any particular right to fencing to provide a particular level of security or privacy. One thing worth checking is whether your tenancy agreement or property deeds (you'll have to see if you can get a copy from the Land Registry which will cost you a couple of quid) have any stipulations on fencing.

If other people are paying to put up fence panels then obviously that is their choice (planning permission permitting) - if however they are getting the council to do it for them then it might be possible to persuade them to do yours the same.

The only other option is to offer to pay the extra to have a fence that you want. I don't think you can simply say you want a 6ft wooden fence and expect them to do it. I suspect that isn't what you want to hear but there simply isn't any obligation on the part of a property owner to do more than put a minimal boundary mark in place.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

There will be no right to fencing only the replacement of the original if it was substandard when you moved in.

ukjoel

Write to the school. Inform them your great uncle is moving down to stay with you for a couple of months and is a convicted peadophile. Then sit back and see how quickly they can build the tallest widest strongest fence known to man.

When they have done it thank them and let them know uncle has decided not to come down after all.

ukjoel

Seriously though my parents back onto a school (or its playing field) and have had similar issues. The standard chain link is 5ft and in decent nick but offers no privacy.

They could plant up some shrubs but they quite like looking out onto the field (just dont like anyone looking back in - I know the irony is fantastic ).

There two main issues were surface water from the firld floods the garden and the litter dropped by the kids catches against the fence and looks unsightly.

Both issues resolved - School put wooden fencing 2 foot high against fence so litter no longer seen and got a mini digger to dig a foot deep drainage ditch along the fence line.

You are best off contacting the council rather than the school and send in pictures and generally be a pain in their backside until they do it.

The have a hug workforce so you just need to get your work at the top of their to do list.

thenakedchef

Is it a government funded school?

With all council houses, fences backing on to other non council houses obviously occur a shared cost. It is usually up to the discretion of the housing inspector which fence to put up but the one that is advised to them is the 900mm chain link fence. I would ring the council repairs line and find out what the situation is and then get the housing inspector out and ask him about the process.

playgirl83

Thanks for the replies guys

Joel, that made me laugh. Excellent idea LOL!!!!

playgirl83

thenakedchef wrote: »

Is it a government funded school?

With all council houses, fences backing on to other non council houses obviously occur a shared cost. It is usually up to the discretion of the housing inspector which fence to put up but the one that is advised to them is the 900mm chain link fence. I would ring the council repairs line and find out what the situation is and then get the housing inspector out and ask him about the process.

Yeah, it's a government funded school.

ormus

you have no "right" to decide on the type of fencing you want to see. the council can do as it pleases. usually itll be the cheapest option. ie a simple wire fence.
if you want a higher/stronger/more opaque fence, then erect one yourself.

iamcornholio

The council, or any landlord has no responsibility for fences.

You would have to refer to any tenancy conditions or suchlike to see if there is any specific mention of the council maintaining fences, ortherwise it's up to the tenant to sort it out

It seems like the council is offering to install a new chainlink (or maintain the original chainlink fence) and that is as good or more than the council is obligated to do. A tenant has no right to privacy or security of a garden