garden fence renewal

catford

My neighbours wants replace the garden fence between our properties with a new,slightly higher one, at their own expense.:D

We have no real objection but are a bit concerned because the fence is in the deeds as being ours and we have kept it maintained for 15yrs.

What can we do to protect ourselves against any future problems over the ownership and maintenance ??

Bogof_Babe

Tell them to put their new fence on their side of the boundary, and to make sure they don't interfere with yours.

I don't know how you will access your own fence for maintenance, but do be careful not to allow any boundaries to be obscured if they follow their plan through.

chinagirl

yes, just make sure the fence is on their boundary, and then it does not count as a boundary fence, just a fixture of their garden. You still have your own boundary fence to maintain.

zebidee1

I'm no expert but the 2 fence thing doesn't work very well in practice. We had the same situation and ended up with 2 fences with a small gap between them. We couldn't paint that side of the fence nor could we keep the tiny strip of land free of weeds etc as we just couldn't get in there.

Both of us wish we'd taken the fences down and gone halfers on one between us.

Might it be an idea to jointly own the fence? You'd have to pay half but then you might have some say. Just thinking out loud really, don't know if that's feasible or not.

catford

I don't mind them replacing it even though it's my boundary.
But they now want to erect a 5ft high, solid panel one.
The current fence is a 3ft overlap panel with a 2ft 6in trellis on the top. This lets the low sunlight into my garden in the evening.
Any higher and no sun!!:mad:
Even if I say no to their proposal they can still go ahead and put up a new fence inside their own boundary effectively blocking my sunlight.The garden is only 15ft wide.
So it looks as though i'm a bit stuffed whatever I do.
Any more ideas please??

Spendless

What is the reason they want to replace your fence? Can you say thanks but it's your responsibility and you'd rather you paid for one, then you could keep whatever design it is you prefer.

Bun

I don't know where to find the info but I'm sure they are not allowed to cut light out of your garden. If they have an area of patio or decking they use they could maybe get some bamboo screening or something for more privacy without cutting out your sun. I'd say no, for the light reason.

Lifeisbutadream

Bun wrote: »

I don't know where to find the info but I'm sure they are not allowed to cut light out of your garden. If they have an area of patio or decking they use they could maybe get some bamboo screening or something for more privacy without cutting out your sun. I'd say no, for the light reason.

You dont have any right to light I am afraid.

stebiz

My neighbour had been maintaining ours at the back since we originally moved in. Then a few weeks ago suggested a fancy brick wall costing about 2k - split 50/50.

I suggested to the neighbour I'd put up a brand new fence. Cost £200 split 50/50. My height. My colour. I've just finished it and both of us are really happy. Okay I had to do it myself but this way I was in control so no nasty surprises.

Stebiz

catford

Spendless wrote: »

What is the reason they want to replace your fence? Can you say thanks but it's your responsibility and you'd rather you paid for one, then you could keep whatever design it is you prefer.

The reason given is that they want a little more privacy.

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but why did they move into the house in the first place?? the fence is fine--it may need a lick of colouring but i've no intention of replacing it unless it's damaged.

catford

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

You dont have any right to light I am afraid.

It's a great pity if that's the case--no more evenings sitting and playing with the kids in the last bit of sun, drying their hair before bedtime and finishing their reading outside instead of indoors. What a sad world!