Can I remove a hook my neighbour put in my fence?

AnetteM

I hope I'm in the right place to ask this.
My neighbour has put a hook in my fence panel, to which she attaches her washing line, and hangs her heavy washing on.
I've asked her not to do that, the plank it's attached to is warping already. She ignored me.
Am I allowed to remove the hook since it's my fence, or because it's on her side I would be trespassing?
What can I do to stop this? I know I can potentially wait till the panel breaks and sue her, but going to court is no one's idea of fun. I'd rather deal with it now.
I'll appreciate suggestions. Thank you.

jk0

As long as you aren't dropping washing on the ground, I would confiscate the hook, and every one that replaces it until it stops.


Maybe I'm not the best person to advise you.

tgon

Your deeds might state the precise terms of your boundary walls or fences irrespective if you paid for it or not, but I would think she has a right to put a hook in her side and you have a right to warn her of the consequences. Am surprised she has screwed the hook into a panel rather than a post. Have you suggested an alternative? If it breaks she will need another option anyway. I don’t think it’s worth falling out over.

a.turner

tgon wrote: »

Your deeds might state the precise terms of your boundary walls or fences irrespective if you paid for it or not, but I would think she has a right to put a hook in her side and you have a right to warn her of the consequences. Am surprised she has screwed the hook into a panel rather than a post. Have you suggested an alternative? If it breaks she will need another option anyway. I don’t think it’s worth falling out over.

Why are you asking about deeds? If it's the OP's fence then without his permission the neighbour can't attach anything to it.

Davesnave

I had this problem many years ago.

I asked the neighbour to move the hook to a post, as the fence wasn't designed to support heavy things and would soon be damaged. It was already split by the large screw eye.

She did as requested, and that was the end of the matter. I think providing an easy alternative helped. The posts were easily up to the job.

If my request had fallen on deaf ears I'd have removed the fence panel for 'repairs.' This was a trick I learned from a rear neighbour of my Dad's, who had removable panels. Sometimes, he'd take one out to paint it and 'forget' to put it back immediately. This drove my Dad nuts, but the guy was doing nothing wrong. He was just reminding Dad that he wasn't having plants or anything else attached to his fence panels. Eventually, Dad erected his own trellis in front of the fence!

AnetteM

My first reaction was to just remove the hook, but I agree that this will look like I'm declaring an open war. I love the suggestion of removing the panel for repairs. I'll have to walk my dogs more often as they won't be able to go to the garden, but it's worth it. This neighbour is a nightmare, constantly complaining about Everything, it's time I had some fun of my own. I'll just need to go to the gym first, the panels are huge. Thank you all!!!

Mistral001

Removing the hook will only make the matter worst. If you did not buy the hook, then it is not your property and you cannot remove it without getting the law involved as far as I can see.


As Dave says, you should give a reason for not wanting the hook there, for example it is making the fence bend and look crooked. Invite them round to look at how crooked the fence looks from your side when the have particularly large load of washing on the line. It will be difficult for them to say that it is not a problem if the both of you are looking at a crooked fence.

GrumpyDil

Mistral001 wrote: »

Removing the hook will only make the matter worst. If you did not buy the hook, then it is not your property and you cannot remove it without getting the law involved as far as I can see.

By getting the law involved I assume you mean the police? If so why would they need to get involved?

The OP has a fence on which the neighbour has affixed a hook without asking for permission. I'd politely explain to the neighbour that I didn't want the hook attached in that way and if they didn't remove it would remove it for them and leave it on their side of the boundary.

The OP doesn't even have to give a reason although giving one and suggesting an alternative might be better for relations. The only criminal law element I can think of might be criminal damage caused by fixing the hook to the fence.

jackieblack

Davesnave wrote: »

If my request had fallen on deaf ears I'd have removed the fence panel for 'repairs.' This was a trick I learned from a rear neighbour of my Dad's, who had removable panels. Sometimes, he'd take one out to paint it and 'forget' to put it back immediately.

I might have to try this
I have a fence which is not the boundary but was put up on my side of the boundary, so is in my garden. My neighbour has grown a lot of climbing plants, including ivy, which poke through into my side and are starting to damage the panels.
It really bugs me, but in all other ways they are great neighbours and it’s not worth falling out over.

Mojisola

Mistral001 wrote: »

Removing the hook will only make the matter worst. If you did not buy the hook, then it is not your property and you cannot remove it without getting the law involved as far as I can see.

The hook has been put into AnetteM's property - of course she has the right to remove it and return it to the neighbour.

Socajam

AnetteM wrote: »

I hope I'm in the right place to ask this.
My neighbour has put a hook in my fence panel, to which she attaches her washing line, and hangs her heavy washing on.
I've asked her not to do that, the plank it's attached to is warping already. She ignored me.
Am I allowed to remove the hook since it's my fence, or because it's on her side I would be trespassing?
What can I do to stop this? I know I can potentially wait till the panel breaks and sue her, but going to court is no one's idea of fun. I'd rather deal with it now.
I'll appreciate suggestions. Thank you.

Make sure that you have pictures of the hook and how its attached to your fence to back up your case
I would take a couple of pictures - maybe 4
Make sure the pictures taken are without clothes on the line and with clothes on the line - 2 of each should be sufficient.