new house moved in - too low fence

PenguinOfDeath

Yep we had similar when we moved in, precious occupants had asked them but they didn't want to change it. We were about to ask them citing safety for their child etc when they came to us to tell us they were having them replaced.

jacko74

I'm finding a similar problem now... where I came from it was the norm to have 5-6 ft fences or walls round the back garden, giving everyone a bit of privacy, but in the area I'm now looking to buy in most of the houses seem to have very open plan back gardens, often with very low walls or just post & rail fences 2-3 ft high.

There's been a few houses which would have been suitable for me if it wasn't for this issue and I don't feel it would go down too well if I rock up and instantly put a 6ft fence around my back garden.

Blinkin73

I had the same problem when I bought my property a 4ft fence in some arears of the boundary feature and one side of the garden fencing owned by a landlord. The landlord didnt care when I put up screening next to the fence but the tenant didnt like it even though they were aware I was erecting the bamboo screening. However that was because they liked to jump the fence to gain access to my other neighbours garden and have long conversations across and parties over my garden.

I think most Brits value privacy. They might want a higher fence but not have erected one because they rent and dont own and therefore are less invested in the property, or they might not be able to afford fence. Depending on how you initiate a conversation about putting up your own screening because you like privacy, your new neighbours need not be offended.

Vectis

PenguinOfDeath wrote: »

Y...We were about to ask them citing safety for their child etc when they came to us to tell us they were having them replaced.

Well, that's one option. Keep the fence and get rid of the kids.

martindow

Vectis wrote: »

Well, that's one option. Keep the fence and get rid of the kids.

I think the kids are being replaced though.

aspire2707

thank you for all your replies
i will speak to the owner

fierystormcloud

We had this issue a number of years ago. The guy next door (old man-70s) replaced the fence on his side, that had previously been 6 feet high, and put a 4 foot one up. It actually peed me off as when we were sitting in the garden, he could literally see us from his kitchen/diner, and when he walked around the garden he could see us. I don't care how whiney it sounds, it made me feel uncomfortable and awkward...not only did we feel we were being watched all the time, but also, I always felt like I had to spend time talking, when I didn't have time sometimes, or plain and simple just wanted to be alone, reading and chilling.

My husband felt the same.

So did my family when they came around.

So what we did was plant laurel bushes - they look pretty, they grow 2 feet a year, and they are fairly easy to maintain, and they won't destroy your property or fence or dominate the garden too much as they are easy to trim.

Buddleja and of course fast growing conifers are also an idea, but these can get out of hand very quickly and the buddleja can throttle other plants and trees.

You could put another fence there, but they may take great offence (no pun intended!) at you effectively 'shutting them out,' so I think planting bushes is a good idea. Doesn't help you in the short term as it will be the summer after next before they start to give privacy, but they will eventually.

If they rent though, I can't see them caring much if you just simply put a fence up 3-6 inches from theirs... I have seen folk do this before. At the end of the day it's YOUR home, and you can do what you want.

Beats the heck out of me though, why anyone would want to put a fence up between neighbouring properties that is only 4 feet tall. It's weird.

moneyistooshorttomention

I would think most people would expect a 6' tall (or so) barrier between properties and not regard it as antisocial in any way. Its well-known that British people expect privacy in our gardens.

I know exactly what the poster means about feeling you have to talk to the next door neighbour (whether you want to or no) if you are both in your gardens and spot each other. Translate that into could also be next door neighbour takes the opportunity to deliberately nosily look into your garden at regular intervals/ "express an opinion" against anything they don't like there and glare at you deliberately if they spot you if they're an awkward etc person. Not exactly conducive to "gardens are for relaxing in".

Gigervamp

It's probably a throw back to the old days when neighbours were more community spirited. The houses I grew up in only had 4' fences and the neighbours were always chatting over them. Everybody knew everybody down our street and the one backing onto us. Us kids were always in each other's houses.

Nowadays, everyone keeps to themselves.