Neighbours fence (sorry...i know its common!)

heresrobbo

My neighbours fence is basically falling apart. Whilst I realise its on his land etc, the fence keeps falling into my conservatory and garden, he then just props it back up with insecure posts. The panels are now exposing rusty nails also. We have a 4 year old that I'm keeping out of the garden because of the fear of the fence falling or the nails hurting him. The neighbour is not approachable in any way. None of the street talk to him, when I've asked him about the fence he basically starts off with foul mouthed abuse! I've considered putting my own fence up, but a little agitated to why I should pay and maintain that side as well as the other. Advice please....be gentle!

Money_maker

You could put your own fence up parallel to his on your land. It's not ideal but that looks like the only way you'll get it sorted. My neighbour is tighter than a ducks !!! so we have to replace her panels when they fall apart as I prefer to be with a fence than without.

Chopper_Read

What are the posts like?

If they are still reasonable run wire along so the panels fall into his garden.

However if it's his fence you shouldn't be attaching things without his say so.

Bella73

Money_maker wrote: »

You could put your own fence up parallel to his on your land. It's not ideal but that looks like the only way you'll get it sorted. My neighbour is tighter than a ducks !!! so we have to replace her panels when they fall apart as I prefer to be with a fence than without.

To protect your child I would do this to be honest. Yes you shouldn't have to but surely better to spend out a bit and be able to use your garden for your little one.

cyclonebri1

Bella73 wrote: »

To protect your child I would do this to be honest. Yes you shouldn't have to but surely better to spend out a bit and be able to use your garden for your little one.

Yes so would I, and you are right, there are about 4 parallel questions all essentially the same "live" at present;)

Just a general tip, if you do put up your own fence, and do it as close to his as practically possible, ensure that by removing a few screws from your side, you can remove the panels for re finishing/repair etc
I'm thinking concrete posts with slide in panels, the posts can be stained with woodstain to take the "edge" of the whitish posts :money::money:, fit and forget then as regards the posts.

DMFR

If you put up a new fence on your land, which could be a couple of feet or more from your neighbours fence, and then your neighbour takes down his fence, could he then claim that extra bit of land between what was his old fence and your new fence?

krlyr

heresrobbo wrote: »

I've considered putting my own fence up, but a little agitated to why I should pay and maintain that side as well as the other. Advice please....be gentle!

To protect your child. Your neighbour has no obligation to fence his garden at all (bar a few exceptions, e.g. along railways) and if he won't listen to reason then it may be time to take action yourself.
I'm sure you'd be entitled to take him to court for damaging your property, but not only do you have all that hassle, but if it's your child that gets injured, it could be more serious than just needing to replace a pane of conservatory glass.

Rather than panels, I would perhaps look into cheap options like chicken wire, green garden fencing, stock animal/deer fencing, screening, etc. - this may allow you to run your fencing solution right up against his so not lose any of your garden space.
Even just some posts with wire or rope across at several points may be sufficient, if it's simple there just to prop his fencing up where the posts are failing to do so.If he later decided to remove the panels entirely, you could then just put reed screening along it for privacy.

adonis

DMFR wrote: »

If you put up a new fence on your land, which could be a couple of feet or more from your neighbours fence, and then your neighbour takes down his fence, could he then claim that extra bit of land between what was his old fence and your new fence?

That is what I am wondering, I have put up a fence on my side from when I had nightmare neighbours but if they take their fence down what do you do?

SailorSam

In the Autumn i planted a load of cuttings and i'm hoping to grow a hedge 'cos the fence has seen better days, might not be a short-term answer for you though Op, it will take a few years to grow to a decent size.

DMFR

adonis wrote: »

That is what I am wondering, I have put up a fence on my side from when I had nightmare neighbours but if they take their fence down what do you do?

On your housing plans it will show the boundary. But, what happens when you sell the house, will the new owners move the fence to the boundary as shown on the plans, will the neighbour say its his land if he has plants growing against the fence?

If I was the op I would help the neighbour to fix, or rebuild, the fence. Especially so since everyone is advising them to build a fence on their own land

cyclonebri1

DMFR wrote: »

If you put up a new fence on your land, which could be a couple of feet or more from your neighbours fence, and then your neighbour takes down his fence, could he then claim that extra bit of land between what was his old fence and your new fence?

Which is exactly why I said "as close to his as practically possible," ie, touching almost.