Neighbour's Summerhouse

chilledsadie

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any more knowledge than I do on this.

My neighbour started building a summerhouse/shed basically right into our shared fence line about six months ago. He's a landscaper by trade and before he started any work in his garden I explained to him that our fence needed repairing as it was not quite straight from about halfway down the garden and was causing the fence to lean, due to the fact my brother ( a non professional) had erected it and mistakingly thought he should line it up to a wall further down.

My neighbour landscaper acknowledged this but then began work on his garden. I didnt notice how close the shed was until building reached the height of the fence, at which point I raised concerns about both damp accumulation, potential access problems to repair the fence and whether the roof would hang over. I was only told "it would be difficult to move now," and that "any hanging roof will be shaved off" and nothing more has been said or any work completed.

I'm not really happy with the placement of their shed but I can't see anything that would prevent it being built. It's a model that's less than 6ft5" and is on a decking of just less than a foot. I also understand that where fence lines are concerned there is a give or take of about four inches either way. However, the shed's position means that I can only rebuild the fence wonky and with the panels remaining on my side without losing any land, otherwise the fence would be literally touching the back of the shed. This was something that already was being discussed as their dogs have knocked out a couple of panels and the idea was it would be rebuilt the other way around. There is already lots of plastic bag rubbish acculumating at the back of the shed too which can not be accessed by me or them.

As shown in the photo, the shed in actually in the fence line and then goes at an angle of three inches away from the post at the other end, owing to the fact that the fence is at an angle. Basically just curious as to whether there any rules or anything that I don't know that might help me here? Thanks.

DB1904

Unless unless permitted development has been removed there's probably not much you can do. What resolution are you seeking?

https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/miniguides/outbuildings/outbuildings.pdf

chilledsadie

Thanks for the link. Just really would prefer it a little bit further away from the fence, allowing access and space for appropriate fence repairs and to ensure it doesn't cause damp issues and reduce fence life or have an overhanging roof with rain runoff on my side. But didn't think there was much I could do.  

grumbler

Why do you want to have and maintain the fence there? Just remove it and relax.

Brie

When you go to rebuild the fence you have 2 solutions....first off make sure you build it where it should be and at the right angle.  When you get to where the shed is you can either ask him to shift the shed so you can put it up correctly or not put a fence at that part.  If you don't put the fence by his shed put put some trellis on it for your roses or whatever.  If he asks you to remove it tell him "it would be too difficult to move it now."

casper_gutman

It looks like a pretty solid structure. Is it a shed-like structure put together from panels made as frames with cladding, or is it more of a log cabin construction, made from individual logs/boards which interlock at the corners?

It looks more like the latter, but the photos aren't exactly clear. If it is, I can't see it being moved now because that would mean taking it completely apart into individual pieces again.

Do you even need to replace the fence panels alongside the building? If he's built it right next to the boundary, couldn't you just leave the panels out along there?

I'd be most concerned about the roof. Standard constructions will usually have quite an overhang and if I were your neighbour I wouldn't personally be keen on cutting it back almost flush with the wall.

twopenny

Then there's the rain run off depending on the shape of the roof.
Though if that causes problems some guttering on top of the fence draining to his side?
Personally I'd be reluctant to upset a neighbour with the back of my shed so accessible to them.
And how will he maintain the back? Is he creating to sell? Otherwise a poor job for a 'landscaper'.

daveyjp

Without a gap that part of the structure will be mold ridden and rotting within a few years.  

Rosa_Damascena

The fact of the matter is that fence is not going to be rebuilt until and unless the OP bothers to hack down the jungle they are cultivating in front of it. The OP knows it, her neighbour knows it and so does anyone viewing the picture. 

The first step towards being taken seriously by your neighbour is to show some serious intent.

kdotdotdotdot

Why do you even need to replace the fence there?  It looks like your neighbour has effectively created a fence anyway in the form of the shed.  And in any case, you seem to have shrubs up against it, so you're not really going to see it.

As for 'losing land', you're talking inches, if that.  What on earth would you do with that minuscule space?

Doozergirl

kdotdotdotdot said:

Why do you even need to replace the fence there?  It looks like your neighbour has effectively created a fence anyway in the form of the shed.  And in any case, you seem to have shrubs up against it, so you're not really going to see it.

As for 'losing land', you're talking inches, if that.  What on earth would you do with that minuscule space?

I'm inclined to agree.  The time to get the fence straight was back when the fence went up.  Get it right first time then there's no argument to be had.  As it is, the planting all looks well bedded in and there's no gain to be had at any time really, but especially when there's whopping great shrubs in front, even in January.  

Part of one of our boundaries is formed by the back of one neighbour's shed.  I can't wait for it to fall down so we can have some fencing in line with the rest , but it was there before I was, so I'll have to be patient.