Putting up a taller fence.. How to tell neighbours?

xylophone

BBQs when the washing is out and son on

The barbecue? The washing line? :eek:

Could the OP not affix an attractive trellis to his side of the walls and grow some evergreen climbers?

LannieDuck

I'm pretty dismayed at people saying you should just do it with no warning. Imagine the shock you'd get if you came down one morning and found a massive fence along one side of your garden.

It might be legal, but it's also much more likely to upset your neighbours. It would certainly put my back up, even if I had no objections to the fence itself.

Mojisola

xylophone wrote: »

Could the OP not affix an attractive trellis to his side of the walls and grow some evergreen climbers?

You don't own 'your side' of the wall or fence. The whole of it belongs to the owner.

bouicca21

Just introduce yourself to the neighbours and have a chat, the cake is optional but desirable. Tell them you'd quite like to put a fence on the wall (assuming as others have said that the wall can take it) and play it by ear thereafter.

If you were my neighbour I'd be delighted, even more so if I didn't have to pay for it. I value my privacy in the garden as much as indoors. Possibly it's a lack of social skills but the feeling that one is obliged to chat over the fence/wall has ruined my enjoyment of gardens at previous properties. I am so pleased I have 6 foot fences in my current place.

Mojisola

prosaver wrote: »

you have the right to put up a fence no higher than 6 foot.

my neighbor even wanted it higher ..

If nobody complains, there's no reason why the fence can't be higher.

Our neighbour asked whether we would be okay with the first few panels being 7' (6' panel on top of a concrete board) and we agreed. The fence has been up for years and gives both houses privacy.

Ulfar

Find out who owns the wall either from deeds or talking to your neighbours. Whichever way it goes don't attach a fence to the top unless it is a very sturdy wall, it just delays you having to put up a 6 foot fence.

powerful_Rogue

Some people are far too soft.

Id be knocking on their door, introducing myself and saying within the next few weeks i'll be erecting a fence as I want some privacy in the garden. Just giving you the heads up incase you wonder what the noise/people are doing.

Cant see the issue of discussing the matter. You want a fence to enjoy the garden, you have every legal right to erect a fence on your land.

Tell, don't ask or discuss.

Drew210385

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Some people are far too soft.

Id be knocking on their door, introducing myself and saying within the next few weeks i'll be erecting a fence as I want some privacy in the garden. Just giving you the heads up incase you wonder what the noise/people are doing.

Cant see the issue of discussing the matter. You want a fence to enjoy the garden, you have every legal right to erect a fence on your land.

Tell, don't ask or discuss.

Haha thanks. I think this was the response I was after. Although I do thank everyone for your stories and advice, I'm definitely not going to be popping around with cake though, that's for sure! I'd rather write a note, but it may be best in person in this situation.

It is nice to know I'm not the only one wanting a bit of privacy, I see the garden as an extension of the house, like an extra room almost, so having strangers from all angles wandering around looking in when you want to do a bit of sunbathing is a bit off putting.

Regarding who owns the walls, no one really knows, we've asked various neighbours, two sets of solicitors who've worked on sales in the street recently, I have the original plans of the house and the suburb (from 1925 - wax seals and all) and no clues! That's a non issue though really. We just thought it would look better built on top of the wall. We are fairly easy going, if a neighbour has a problem with that we are fine to build the fence in front of the wall. If anything I'm sure that would end up looking a bit odd from their side.

xylophone

The whole of it belongs to the owner.

It would appear that there is no indication as to ownership of the walls?

However, if they prove to belong to the neighbours, then use attractive trellis panels fixed to wooden posts inside the walls - attractive evergreen climbers should not offend and might even delight?

Clematis armandii, Clematis scented Oberon, honeysuckle, jasmine.....
my neighbours are welcome to start planting on either side and at the end of my garden....

prosaver

Mojisola wrote: »

If nobody complains, there's no reason why the fence can't be higher.

Our neighbour asked whether we would be okay with the first few panels being 7' (6' panel on top of a concrete board) and we agreed. The fence has been up for years and gives both houses privacy.

true ..but build regs say 6 foot because of light issues..thats why some people put trestles on top of the 6 foot fence