Boundary fence

treecol

When we moved here last year, we made sure we introduced ourselves to all the neighbours in the cul-de-sac & now we all have good friendly relationships. But there are two neighbours at the back of our garden in the road behind. These houses own the end part of 1 of our side fences & the other owns the entire back fence. They are in dreadful repair falling into our garden. The couple at the side said they didn't want to replace the fence as they can't see it from their house. We get on fine with them & have offered to replace the fence as we'd like a new one. The neighbour at the back is another story. We have offered to pay for a new fence etc etc. They say they can't see the fence (big hedge in on their side in front of it).
So would it be best to leave both existing fences in place & put up our own fence - completely on our land?
That way all they'll see is their fence & we won't have to pay to dispose of old fence (we only have a commercial vehicle so cannot use free council tip).

moneyistooshorttomention

The risk of putting up your own fence inside their fence is that, at some point in the future, either they or anyone who subsequently buys their house after them might lay claim to however much of your ground is in between their fence and your fence I understand.

If you don't mind taking the risk of a few inches of your land being stolen off you (courtesy of those darn "adverse possession" provisions) then you are totally free to stick up your own fence on your garden.

If you are concerned you might have a strip of your garden stolen, then its "grit teeth and bear it" that the neighbours are being awkward about fulfilling their responsabilities and keeping their fence properly maintained.

That's my understanding of the situation anyway...from quite a variety of threads I have read on a similar situation.

societys_child

So would it be best to leave both existing fences in place & put up our own fence - completely on our land?

Seems the obvious solution.

robotrobo

treecol wrote: »

When we moved here last year, we made sure we introduced ourselves to all the neighbours in the cul-de-sac & now we all have good friendly relationships. But there are two neighbours at the back of our garden in the road behind. These houses own the end part of 1 of our side fences & the other owns the entire back fence. They are in dreadful repair falling into our garden. The couple at the side said they didn't want to replace the fence as they can't see it from their house. We get on fine with them & have offered to replace the fence as we'd like a new one. The neighbour at the back is another story. We have offered to pay for a new fence etc etc. They say they can't see the fence (big hedge in on their side in front of it).
So would it be best to leave both existing fences in place & put up our own fence - completely on our land?
That way all they'll see is their fence & we won't have to pay to dispose of old fence (we only have a commercial vehicle so cannot use free council tip).

They won't know you have replaced it if they can not see it;)

System

If there is a big hedge and the neighbour can't even see the fence then is there any reason why you need to put a fence back there?

treecol

!!!!!! wrote: »

If there is a big hedge and the neighbour can't even see the fence then is there any reason why you need to put a fence back there?

Mainly because we can see it & it's falling apart into our garden. we wanted nice new neat fencing all round.
the way we'd build our fence, we'd only lose about 1 inch, so it's no issue as the garden is 3rd of an acre - I doubt we'd notice it.
Thanks all for the in put.

mttylad

Put your own fence up, when you do make it clear on the rear of the panels who's property they are.
Take photos of before & after & file them away.

Write to the neighbors advising them that they are your fence panels & that they are not permitted to paint, stain, attach anything to or lean anything against them. Put it nicely, mentioning that as theyc oul not do it you did & that they are o your property - keep a copy.
Keep all receipts.

Then if anything happens in the future you at least have something that shows that you put the fences up.

Enjoy your fence.

P.S. do not spray it.