Replacing rotten fencing

desthemoaner

As stated elsewhere, we're just about to move to a semi detached bungalow. The rear garden boundaries are defined by old and rotten fencing, and we have a rescue dog who will escape into neighbours' gardens within seconds unless that fencing is replaced. As soon as we move into the property I intend to introduce myself to the neighbours on both sides and tell them that I'll be replacing the fencing, probably with feather edge and concrete panels/ posts. I don't suppose any sensible person would refuse to consent to such a thing, especially as I don't intend to ask them for a contribution. But if either neighbour DOES refuse, where do I stand? I could put the new fencing on our side of the rotten stuff, but that would mean losing a few inches of garden. I'm hoping that the neighbours will be delighted to have new boundary fencing for their gardens at no cost to themselves, but I also know that people are capable of being awkward for no good reason. 

TELLIT01

The alternatives are as you have outlined.  Replace existing fence with neighbours agreement, unless one or other is actually your responsibility anyway (check deeds), or erect new fence just inside your boundary line.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

when you speak to neighbours you might find that they are amicable to your suggestion, might even willing to go halves, unless they really love the fence they've got.

GDB2222

I don’t like concrete posts. But, I accept that that is a personal opinion, and concrete has advantages. 

So, I suggest just being flexible and listening to what your neighbours want.

victor2

desthemoaner said:

As stated elsewhere, we're just about to move to a semi detached bungalow. The rear garden boundaries are defined by old and rotten fencing, and we have a rescue dog who will escape into neighbours' gardens within seconds unless that fencing is replaced. As soon as we move into the property I intend to introduce myself to the neighbours on both sides and tell them that I'll be replacing the fencing, probably with feather edge and concrete panels/ posts. I don't suppose any sensible person would refuse to consent to such a thing, especially as I don't intend to ask them for a contribution. But if either neighbour DOES refuse, where do I stand? I could put the new fencing on our side of the rotten stuff, but that would mean losing a few inches of garden. I'm hoping that the neighbours will be delighted to have new boundary fencing for their gardens at no cost to themselves, but I also know that people are capable of being awkward for no good reason. 

If the boundary is your responsibility, then there's nothing that neighbour can say, other than something along the lines of I'm so glad you've sorted that. If the boundary is not your responsibility then, like you say, why would that neighbour complain? It's not as if you're proposing cheap 'n cheerful stuff.

When our neighbour replaced his boundary with feather edge fencing, he even painted our side green to match our other fences, before putting it up - and left us an extra tub of green paint. And the "good" side was facing us! We hardly even know the neighbour as their house backs onto ours and is accessed through a different road. People don't believe me when I say that it's not our responsibility.

See it as a good way to get to know your new neighbours.

theonlywayisup

desthemoaner said:

As stated elsewhere, we're just about to move to a semi detached bungalow. The rear garden boundaries are defined by old and rotten fencing, and we have a rescue dog who will escape into neighbours' gardens within seconds unless that fencing is replaced. As soon as we move into the property I intend to introduce myself to the neighbours on both sides and tell them that I'll be replacing the fencing, probably with feather edge and concrete panels/ posts. I don't suppose any sensible person would refuse to consent to such a thing, especially as I don't intend to ask them for a contribution. But if either neighbour DOES refuse, where do I stand? I could put the new fencing on our side of the rotten stuff, but that would mean losing a few inches of garden. I'm hoping that the neighbours will be delighted to have new boundary fencing for their gardens at no cost to themselves, but I also know that people are capable of being awkward for no good reason. 

Do you know who the fence belongs to?  You shouldn't "tell" anyone you are replacing something unless you are sure it is yours.   If it isn't yours then there isn't anything stopping you asking them if they mind it being replaced at your cost. 

twopenny

Even if it is yours when you tell the neighbours you should ask about their plants, if there is a flower bed there digging post holes and fresh concrete could damage the roots and foliage. Especially if it's a climber.
This isnt the time of year to move plants.
Be nice, be considerate. You and the dog need them on your side.

Bendy_House

All as said above. Just bring your neighb's on board with you generous offer, by asking - and listening to their preferences too. And asking about their planting that could be affected is a good call too. Almost certainly you'll get a positive response.
Totally understandable that you wouldn't want to lose any garden - even a 4" strip - should any neighb be unresponsive, tho', and if the 'responsibility' is theirs. What to do in such as situation is up to you, and very likely down to the calibre of the neighbour. For instance, if you have reason to believe they are chancers or just a'oles - eg folk who just like to be awkward, or who are too demanding about what you do with 'their' fence, then a simple option would be to just run fencing wire along that border, tight to their fence. Ie, it'll keep your dawg in, but won't add anything to the aesthetics or structure of the neighb's fence. So, as their fence deteriorates, it'll look bad to them too, and you can moon them as much as you like.
Basically, if they are too 'expectant' and ungrateful about your generous offer, just say, "Ok, fine, I'll just put a wire fence up on my side to keep my dawg in...", and walk away. You'll likely hear the sound of them kicking themselves at a lost opportunity.

TELLIT01

GDB2222 said:

I don’t like concrete posts. But, I accept that that is a personal opinion, and concrete has advantages. 

So, I suggest just being flexible and listening to what your neighbours want.

I can't think of any negatives of concrete posts over timber.  They don't rot, panels can easily be removed if required, concrete posts can be painted to match the panels if you so wish.

GDB2222

TELLIT01 said:

GDB2222 said:

I don’t like concrete posts. But, I accept that that is a personal opinion, and concrete has advantages. 

So, I suggest just being flexible and listening to what your neighbours want.

I can't think of any negatives of concrete posts over timber.  They don't rot, panels can easily be removed if required, concrete posts can be painted to match the panels if you so wish.

I think that they look extremely ugly. As I said, that’s a personal view. 

desthemoaner

Thanks for the replies, and fair point about asking rather than telling. I also like the option of using wire as a temporary fix if either neighbour proves awkward, and of course it would be much cheaper than proper fencing. Though something more substantial would obviously be my long term preference.

I don't think there are any plants on the line of the current fence, so unlikely that greenery would be damaged by excavation for concrete posts. But I will ask them what style of fencing they'd prefer, and hope to come to some sort of agreement.

The deeds convey no useful information about the responsibility for boundaries, my only guide being the Land Registry plan, which is of too small a scale to be much use.