fence issues

74jax

I am wanting to put up some new fences. On two sides we already have a fence, facing our neighbours, so we have the 'back' if that makes sense, and to the third side is a hedge.

The long side on the left is quite old and often falls down so I doubt the neighbour would mind us replacing, I'm going to go see her later . However can I have the 'nice' side face us now we are paying for it?

It can be put in front of their fence if they still want to keep the old fence but didn't know what is generally done . The fence is about 57ft in length.

The fence in front of us might be trickier as this is only a little one and we want to replace with one which will match the other sides, I'm not sure how this lady will react.

krlyr

I would consider whether the theory will match the reality.

In theory, yes, a neighbour may well appreciate getting a nice new fence for free, and not mind that the small price to pay is getting the "bad" side of the fence.

However, in reality, I would consider the problems you may face.

They may object to getting the "bad" side - is this a deal breaker for you?

Is the fence on the boundary line, or on their property? Will they see the fence as a gift, as such, and decide they are entitled to do what they want with it? Paint it, attach things to it, fail to maintain it, or even replace it, without your consultation?

Will they expect you to bear the cost of maintenance and replacement, since you chose it?

A free fence could soon become a bone of contention between you.

JIL

We have a fence in between our neighbours, its hard to explain but we had a fence with concrete posts and concrete at the bottom and the fence panels then slip in between the posts. It does not match the fence on our other side but its all stained the same colour so is not really noticeable.
a bit like this http://www.abbeylawn.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Barrell-Board-panel-003.jpg

The advantages being, that we can pull the fence panels up and turn them round to ensure we can treat both sides without going onto the neighbours property. The fence panels are easily replaced should we need to, just a panel slipped in.
If the neighbours ever lean anything against the panels we can lift them and poke the stuff back. (it sometimes happens that the neighbours will collect things at the bottom of their garden in a small pile).

hunnie

Hi,
I think nowadays you could probably put the fence whichever way round you like as long as you don't encroach on your neighbour's land.


However conventionally the posts/rails should be on the side of those who own the fence, with the plain 'nice' side facing away.


regards
Hunnie

emweaver

My neighbour done this to us a few weeks ago and he now has the nice side of the fence. Didn't tell me he was intending to do swap the position of the fence panels. As it is on my boundary I will be screwing things to it and treating it as my own regardless of his opinion.

Kayalana99

Hmm, see maybe this is just me but I would ask if it's ok to put a new fence up and not mention 'which side' and just get on with it, if you think it's going to be a problem bring it forward slightly so it is on your boundary.

SailorSam

I think if i were to be given a nice brand new sparkly fence it wouldn't matter which side i had.

ska_lover

I agree with you sailor sam - I would be over the moon if a neighbour of mine put up a fence completely free of charge to me, and in that instance would expect to get the back of the fence. You do whats right and try to speak to them next door, but cant guarantee they will be reasonable or interested at all

We are going to be putting up a fence in between us and the neighbour - there has never been a proper fence there before, only a chicken wire bodge up. Neighbour is not contributing or even interested after trying to speak to him, so he will get back of the fence facing inwards to his garden.

krlyr

Kayalana99 wrote: »

Hmm, see maybe this is just me but I would ask if it's ok to put a new fence up and not mention 'which side' and just get on with it, if you think it's going to be a problem bring it forward slightly so it is on your boundary.

I would be careful with this, they may lay claim to the extra couple of inches of garden they gain from this and it could end up causing you problems if/when you come to sell the house and want to dispute the boundary line.

I may be sounding very cynical..but sometimes best to assume the worst to save yourself hassle/problems further down the line!

Person_one

You'd think some clever person would start manufacturing fencing with two 'nice sides', wouldn't you? Can't be too complicated to do and there's clearly a market for it...

krlyr

I have to say, I don't mind either side of the fencing in our garden, and we've technically got both "bad" sides (our side of the fencing was put up by the neighbour who shares the side, we didn't say they could have the nice side but it seemed too petty to say they couldn't when they did the labour side of things all for free). Both sets of fencing are high quality panels though, which I think makes a difference.