boundary / privacy issues

whattodo02

We have a wall that seperates us and next door (their wall) which has those flower holes in it (decorative).
The problem is that these holes allow them to look through from their garden right into our kitchen window. this obviously made us feel really uncomfortable so we attached a screen to the wall on our side so we can no longer see them and they can no longer see in our kitchen window.
They came round today asking us to remove it as apparently the reason they had the wall built with holes in was so that in strong winds it wont get knocked down!?

Just wondering what our rights are, do we need to remove it, do we have any rights to privacy?

Ms_Chocaholic

Do they actually stand next to the wall and peer through and into your kitchen window?

The fence around our garden is the sort that has maybe half an inch gap vertically between each board. Although you can see into next door's garden (if you really look), you aren't able to see very much unless you stand quite near the fence and purposefully look in.

What do they/would they see in your kitchen window other than you cooking, preparing food, relaxing.

whattodo02

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Do they actually stand next to the wall and peer through and into your kitchen window?

The fence around our garden is the sort that has maybe half an inch gap vertically between each board. Although you can see into next door's garden (if you really look), you aren't able to see very much unless you stand quite near the fence and purposefully look in.

What do they/would they see in your kitchen window other than you cooking, preparing food, relaxing.

Unfortunately yes they have, we have caught them twice peeking through (although they deny this and have moved away once they realise we had seen them looking, but thats not the point)
Id like to be able to just pop into my kitchen in my underwear if needs be to put something in the bin or anything and not feel like i'm being watched

2013yearofthehouse

Do you have blinds for the kitchen window? You can get ones that angle to let light in, but maintain privacy, not ideal but better than nothing.

Our downstairs is almost entirely open plan and we have no privacy at all, unless we close the curtains, so I can sympathise, it's quite annoying! One neighbour has a trampoline right by our fence and her kids wave at us, as they jump, while we're sat on our sofa. The other neighbour has a conservatory about 1m from their fence, and for some reason they have a lower fence panel next to it, allowing a clear view from it through our large fully glazed patio doors. We don't have room to put a taller fence panel our side as it would block access down our path and prevent us from opening a gate. We had complete privacy for many many years before all this. Blinds are a part of our plan once we are able to renovate the room.

whattodo02

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »

Do you have blinds for the kitchen window? You can get ones that angle to let light in, but maintain privacy, not ideal but better than nothing.

Our downstairs is almost entirely open plan and we have no privacy at all, unless we close the curtains, so I can sympathise, it's quite annoying! One neighbour has a trampoline right by our fence and her kids wave at us, as they jump, while we're sat on our sofa. The other neighbour has a conservatory about 1m from their fence, and for some reason they have a lower fence panel next to it, allowing a clear view from it through our large fully glazed patio doors. We don't have room to put a taller fence panel our side as it would block access down our path and prevent us from opening a gate. We had complete privacy for many many years before all this. Blinds are a part of our plan once we are able to renovate the room.

It really is horrible, i really do sympathise with you :(

Im just wondering if i have to remove this screen or if i can legally leave it there?

ps we can't have a blind/net as the window is in the middle of the wall next to the back door so no where to fix a blind to if that makes sense as the top part would go across the back door which would mean it wouldn't open/close

2013yearofthehouse

whattodo02 wrote: »

It really is horrible, i really do sympathise with you :(

Im just wondering if i have to remove this screen or if i can legally leave it there?

ps we can't have a blind/net as the window is in the middle of the wall next to the back door so no where to fix a blind to if that makes sense as the top part would go across the back door which would mean it wouldn't open/close

If they own the wall then unfortunately you're not supposed to attach anything to it without their permision. You can put up some sort of screen (or fence panel) on your side that is free-standing though, if you have the space and are able to secure it - or perhaps a bush of some kind.

Ms_Chocaholic

You can buy privacy film that you attach to the inside of your windows, a bit like thick clingfilm I imagine but I've never used it. It allows you to see out but others can't see in.

moneyistooshorttomention

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »

If they own the wall then unfortunately you're not supposed to attach anything to it without their permision. You can put up some sort of screen (or fence panel) on your side that is free-standing though, if you have the space and are able to secure it - or perhaps a bush of some kind.

That would be my thoughts as well, ie that you may not be able to attach anything to the wall (because its their wall), but to put up something else that will provide privacy without being attached to their wall.

Could you put in some tall plants in the garden just in front of that wall for instance?

Meanwhile, perhaps some attractive type wooden fencing put up just in front of their wall?

Depending on what type of garden you have - would some colourful canvas of the type used for sails in sailboats be able to be rigged up in front of that wall (this would possibly work in a more "seaside" type garden, of the type where you have put in seaside plants/pebbles/etc).

You are entitled to have privacy in every room in your house, so that you can walk round starkers if you wish and, as you have caught them out peeking, then you do need to do something. I know what you mean because I've found that its possible to have neighbours in a house some way away from me seeing down into my kitchen as far as my kitchen sink (which is in front of the window). I dont know if they can see any further in than that, but it makes me feel I need to have my curtains pulled when I dont want to. Though I basically take the view I'm entitled to do what I please in my own home in that respect and if it offends anyone then that was their choice to be offended.

missprice

whattodo02 wrote: »

It really is horrible, i really do sympathise with you :(

Im just wondering if i have to remove this screen or if i can legally leave it there?

ps we can't have a blind/net as the window is in the middle of the wall next to the back door so no where to fix a blind to if that makes sense as the top part would go across the back door which would mean it wouldn't open/close

There are some blinds that can fix to the ceiling if that may help.

attila_

That is the most ridiculuos excuse i have heard. How crap is this wall that it could be impacted by wind?

Get some bamboo sticks and cable tie a sheet to cover the holes. Then when they are bored of it as they can't say anything just stick it to the wall.

Idiots

Davesnave

Your neighbours are correct that a wall with holes in it is much better in terms of resilience against wind than one without. A holey barrier also reduces wind speed without creating as much turbulence behind it as a solid one.

Whether those facts are relevant here is immaterial. It's their wall, so they can say what can/can't be attached to it.

All you have to do is to decide what kind of independent visual screen you want on your side of the wall/over your windows, and put it up.

That's it!