Neighbors taking out our fence - tomorrow

DRP

kiddy_guy wrote: »

The message is unclear.

Simply it needs to say - We've not decided how or if we plan to replace the fence. That being the case, can you please trim your bushes as you see fit, but the fence needs to stay in situ until we make further plans.

^^ use this.

Your drafted letter has far too much in it - no need for dates or lengthy descriptions of what you want to happen.

He shouldn't be touching your fence, end of story.

He'll probably be a bit annoyed as you've muddied the water a bit by engaging with his plans. But better a bit of annoyance now, than much worse if he starts ripping up your plants/fence.

TBagpuss

I'd suggest you keep it short:

Thank you for letting me know today that you are going to start to remove your hedge tomorrow (13th April).

We haven’t yet decided when, or if, we will be putting up a new fence, therefore it is essential that you ensure that you remove your hedge, and lay your new drive, without damaging our existing fence and in such a way that any new fence can be placed along the current fence line in future. We do not want our fence to be removed to present, so please make sure that it isn’t moved or damaged while you work on your drive, and that you ensure that the tarmac doesn’t encroach into our garden at all, as this would cause damage.

Kind Regards

(Oh and keep a copy of your note, and definitely take lots of photos now!)

Feral_Moon

TBagpuss wrote: »

I'd suggest you keep it short:

Thank you for letting me know today that you are going to start to remove your hedge tomorrow (13th April).

We haven’t yet decided when, or if, we will be putting up a new fence, therefore it is essential that you ensure that you remove your hedge, and lay your new drive, without damaging our existing fence and in such a way that any new fence can be placed along the current fence line in future. We do not want our fence to be removed to present, so please make sure that it isn’t moved or damaged while you work on your drive, and that you ensure that the tarmac doesn’t encroach into our garden at all, as this would cause damage.

Kind Regards

(Oh and keep a copy of your note, and definitely take lots of photos now!)

Completely agree with this. The letter you originally wrote is open to too much ambiguity and allows your neighbour to continue taking the pee.

I'd also address the security issue of your neighbour removing your fence, especially whilst you're away on holiday. What's to prevent anyone entering your property and breaking in?

Also, do you have young children or pets which may escape the garden without the security of a fence?

moneyistooshorttomention

Helvetica_Van_Buren wrote: »

Tell him the fence is fine as it is and he isn't to remove any of it for any reason.

Politely decline his offer of a quotation for a further a fence.

Can you not see that he's doing this to create work for himself? "I'm going to pull your fence out and then you can pay me to put a new one in".

It does seem more than a little coincidental that he is doing this when you are about to go on holiday...:cool:. It seems to be such a common practice for neighbours to "get up to" things when the person next door is on holiday - ie not there to deal with it.

I also wonder whether the fence is actually yours - or it suits him to say so because that way you are the one that gets to pay for it.

Re the tarmac - and it has become the case in recent years that it is not now allowed to put tarmac down basically (unless its permeable) for an area exceeding the measurements of approx 1 car worth. I cant recall the exact size allowed - but its out there online to find out readily. The reason for this is rainwater run-off. This is the case even where a householder proposes to replace existing tarmac.

If he tarmaced a larger amount of land than he is allowed to - then you could report him to the Council. Hence another reason to take those photos now - ie to prove how HIS ground is at present.

Quite possibly another reason why he wishes to do this whilst you are on holiday is in order that you arent there witnessing him illicitly tarmacing a larger area than he is allowed to. You would be surprised just what illegal stuff some neighbours will get up to - in broad daylight - and hope they dont get reported for it (voice of experience time....).

Feral_Moon

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Tell him in writing he isnt to remove your fence and specify your ground/plants/etc arent to be touched (keeping a copy of course).

It does seem more than a little coincidental that he is doing this when you are about to go on holiday...:cool:. It seems to be such a common practice for neighbours to "get up to" things when the person next door is on holiday - ie not there to deal with it.

Yes, highly suspicious indeed! If he is aware you're actually going to be away I think I'd drop into the conversation about the couple hefty young men who will be house sitting whilst you're away

m0bov

Does he have planning permission?

AnotherJoe

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

It does seem more than a little coincidental that he is doing this when you are about to go on holiday

No it doesn't and indeed he isnt taking down the fence when she is away. He's doing it a week before she goes.

Indeed the odds are quite high that when a neighbour is doing work you will be away. Probably 1 in 12 at worst and closer to that when you consider that they may well match up on holiday periods.

moneyistooshorttomention

In fact - re that tarmac I would actually let him know (NOT in writing) you have taken the photos of his garden the way it is at present (after you've safely taken the photos and put your camera/phone back indoors) in advance of him doing this.

I'm just remembering how a neighbour of mine has recently done something illegal and I'm kicking myself I didnt realise in advance what they might get up to and take photos of the way their property was in advance. So they did it - and then had destroyed the evidence before I had the chance to report them for it. Wish I had those photos...

getmore4less

Check your councils web site for planning infringement/complaints, many have on-line anonymous inquiries.
(he would have a good idea who made any inquiry)

If he was planning to tarmac up to the boundary then even if the fence is replaced now next time will still be an issue if the posts are wooden.

Feral_Moon

Check that what he is laying is actually a permeable surface to allow water drainage too otherwise he could find himself in trouble with the local council.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7728/pavingfrontgardens.pdf