Back Garden Fence

getmore4less

Does it say fence in the deeds?

Anything retrospective will just cause ill feeling

You now own the fence and can do what you like with it.
Also they can't attach stuff without permission.

Perhaps the other side of the panels need protection with and uglu colour.
That's assuming they are easy to remove.

What sort of fence did you have put up and what size and price was the piece on the joint boundary?

After you got them to agree to pay did you follow up with the costings and timescales for the job before it started for them to agree the actual cost.

If it was after job done they first got wind of the cost not surprising they are not happy.

Jackmydad

Only my experience, but I'd keep money out of any negotiations with neighbours, or as far as possible anyone else who isn't offering a professional service or product.
If you absolutely have to do something with neighbours. Get a written agreement in advance.
I won't buy anything from, or sell anything to anyone I'm acquainted with. I don't accept or do "favours" for or from most people. And I don't borrow or lend stuff either.
It's all because experience has shown that they all lead to people either trying to take advantage, or to ill feeling.
Call me a sad old cynic if you like.
It's true.

Mojisola

rosieskitt wrote: »

we offered to put the left hand side of our fence up, if they would be okay to contribute to the materials which they agreed and seemed grateful for.

I absolutely don't want to fall out with them as we live next door and we are going to be there for the foreseeable future, however part of me now wants to take the fence down to let them sort it themselves

rosieskitt wrote: »

I'm confused as to who wouldn't want a fence between their garden?

Well, your neighbours couldn't have been bothered about the absence of a fence because they hadn't done anything about putting one up.

You could take it down but then you'll have to be happy living without a fence.

Did you involve the neighbours in the decisions about what fencing to buy and let them know in advance how much it would cost?

They may feel that you spent more than they were happy with in order to get your own choice of fence.

You've now got fencing that you're happy with - if you don't want to end up with very bad feeling between neighbours, I think you'll have to accept that you've spent the money.

The up-side is that the fence is yours and you can stain it, grow plants up it and hang things off it which you couldn't do if it belonged to your neighbours.

comeandgo

I have lived in an area where fences between gardens were disallowed due to planning decisions. We had one wire two inches off the ground to show where the gardens divided. Dogs did not stray, they were properly trained not to leave their gardens.

rosieskitt

We got a quote for all the materials before we did a thing and shared it with the neighbours and agreed verbally on a price. It's nice to hear that the fence is now ours and they can't add stuff without our permission, however I wouldn't want to start a war with them over them hanging a basket on their side as it wouldn't cause us any inconvenience. We just put up a fence that mirrored what the house builders put along the bottom of our gardens so it looks tidy.

I think we have made a rookie error by reading all your replies, help, comments and tips so for sure if and when the time comes to move we will not making the same mistake again!

Ant555

Bear in mind that even if its on the boundary, the fence is 100% 'yours' at the moment as you paid for it.

Neighbours can't legally do anything to it, it would be petty but I don't think they are permitted to even attach anything to it without your permission - one to keep in the back pocket for the future.

If I were to make lots of assumptions here - they are skint, a fence has appeared and they are embarrassed or now unwilling to pay, they are keeping out of your way, they mentioned to Dad and he has taken things the wrong way.

Money aside, if it were me, I would definitely make sure I did not hide myself away or be embarrassed to see them when out in the garden. If they are on the front or out the back then carry on, say hello and take the high ground. It will be THEM that feels uncomfortable.
I have, in the past, tried to avoid an absolute idiot of a previous neighbour and it really got to me more than I imagined it ever would - when I started to face it, not duck away when I saw him and simply carry on with a smile and a hello, it was him that started to duck away from me (which suited me fine)

My 2p based on experience - not really a help with the fence but management of what may happen in the future.

Hope it helps.

rosieskitt

Thanks Ant, that is actually really helpful.

I totally get how they must be feeling, we didn't want to cause embarrassment or make things awkward but I feel their Dad has made it that way.

Hopefully if we give them some space things will blow over and we will have to swallow the cost of the fence.

tori.k

Did you discuses throughout the process and agree the price before proceeding, or was it a causal conversation at the beginning before decided yourself what quote and style of fencing then rack up to their house with the bill. I know that sound rude from me but if it was the latter I guess that's how they are thinking. I'd assume at this time their budget didn't stretch to putting up fencing or they would have most likely of done it or paid without question.
Personally I'd take it on the chin for a amicable life you have your privacy enjoy your garden.

[Deleted User]

rosieskitt wrote: »

We got a quote for all the materials before we did a thing and shared it with the neighbours and agreed verbally on a price.

It sounds me to like you have done the work yourselves. Were you charging them just for the materials or adding in a cost for your time / labour?

Jackmydad

Ant555 wrote: »

Bear in mind that even if its on the boundary, the fence is 100% 'yours' at the moment as you paid for it.

Neighbours can't legally do anything to it, it would be petty but I don't think they are permitted to even attach anything to it without your permission - one to keep in the back pocket for the future.

If I were to make lots of assumptions here - they are skint, a fence has appeared and they are embarrassed or now unwilling to pay, they are keeping out of your way, they mentioned to Dad and he has taken things the wrong way.

Money aside, if it were me, I would definitely make sure I did not hide myself away or be embarrassed to see them when out in the garden. If they are on the front or out the back then carry on, say hello and take the high ground. It will be THEM that feels uncomfortable.
I have, in the past, tried to avoid an absolute idiot of a previous neighbour and it really got to me more than I imagined it ever would - when I started to face it, not duck away when I saw him and simply carry on with a smile and a hello, it was him that started to duck away from me (which suited me fine)

My 2p based on experience - not really a help with the fence but management of what may happen in the future.

Hope it helps.

Exactly this with neighbours. It's what I've done in the past myself.
Neither of us will be bullied either. And "bullying" can be a lot more subtle than a large person making threats!
But for a quiet life, it's easier to avoid the situations. Keep it friendly, keep it pleasant, keep uninvolved.