Replacing rotten fencing

plumb1_2

Another thing to consider is the height.

Bendy_House

desthemoaner said:

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. 

It shouldn't be too hard to work out who has the accepted 'responsibility' for each side; by the time you've asked them AND, if necessary, seen/asked which fences OTHER neighbours believe they are responsible for, there would normally be a consensus. Eg, everyone has the fence to the RH as you look from the front (could also be LH...), coupled with the rear, that sort of thing.

In the unlikely event one neighb is a twit and, for example, with a smirk refuses to accept the consensus for the suspected reason that they want you to build a new fence on YOUR land so they can then remove their fence to gain the 3, 4, 4+ inches, then that's when you can string up fence wire, tight against their posts (but on your own temp posts) to show them that you are not prepared to lose land. It'll be dog proof, but they won't have gained anything, and lost the chance of a nice new fence. That's unlikely to happen, but it's always having your options ready. If you sense their 'game', then a "No problem - I'll just stick some fence wire along my side..." could refocus their mind.

desthemoaner

plumb1_2 said:

Another thing to consider is the height.

 The current, rotten fencing is probably just shy of 3 feet in height, and our dog could leap that with ease. It would have to be at least 4 feet and preferably higher. Obviously I'd speak to the neighbours about that too, but thanks. 

desthemoaner

Bendy_House said:

desthemoaner said:

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. 

It shouldn't be too hard to work out who has the accepted 'responsibility' for each side; by the time you've asked them AND, if necessary, seen/asked which fences OTHER neighbours believe they are responsible for, there would normally be a consensus. Eg, everyone has the fence to the RH as you look from the front (could also be LH...), coupled with the rear, that sort of thing.

In the unlikely event one neighb is a twit and, for example, with a smirk refuses to accept the consensus for the suspected reason that they want you to build a new fence on YOUR land so they can then remove their fence to gain the 3, 4, 4+ inches, then that's when you can string up fence wire, tight against their posts (but on your own temp posts) to show them that you are not prepared to lose land. It'll be dog proof, but they won't have gained anything, and lost the chance of a nice new fence. That's unlikely to happen, but it's always having your options ready. If you sense their 'game', then a "No problem - I'll just stick some fence wire along my side..." could refocus their mind.

Judging by the current state of the fencing I reckon that nobody has taken any responsibility for it for a very long time, but I'll certainly ask if there is a consensus. Perhaps the neighbours will be glad to find themselves living next door to someone who cares about the security and appearance of their boundaries. Perhaps they won't give a monkey's, or perhaps I'll end up going for your wire solution and hope that it does the trick. I'll report back as soon as I know. ;0)

GDB2222

Again this is personal, but I would really strongly object to the fence being raised, unless these are really large gardens. Maybe, we could compromise on 3ft of fence and a couple of feet of trellis. Or, even just trellis that’s tall enough for the dog, without the fence.

Anyway, I’m not your neighbour, but you can’t expect me to be happy if you are planning to turn the open aspect gardens into some version of Colditz. 

GDB2222

Sometimes there are covenants not to have a fence above a certain height. 

TELLIT01

GDB2222 said:

Again this is personal, but I would really strongly object to the fence being raised, unless these are really large gardens. Maybe, we could compromise on 3ft of fence and a couple of feet of trellis. Or, even just trellis that’s tall enough for the dog, without the fence.

Anyway, I’m not your neighbour, but you can’t expect me to be happy if you are planning to turn the open aspect gardens into some version of Colditz. 

Again, you can object as much as you like, but if the fence is no more than 2 metres high, on the OP's land, and there is no covenant there is nothing you can do to stop it.  With my neighbours we have higher fences towards the house to provide more privacy and 1 metre high for the rest.

GDB2222

TELLIT01 said:

GDB2222 said:

Again this is personal, but I would really strongly object to the fence being raised, unless these are really large gardens. Maybe, we could compromise on 3ft of fence and a couple of feet of trellis. Or, even just trellis that’s tall enough for the dog, without the fence.

Anyway, I’m not your neighbour, but you can’t expect me to be happy if you are planning to turn the open aspect gardens into some version of Colditz. 

Again, you can object as much as you like, but if the fence is no more than 2 metres high, on the OP's land, and there is no covenant there is nothing you can do to stop it.  With my neighbours we have higher fences towards the house to provide more privacy and 1 metre high for the rest.

Correct, but it’s not a great way to kick off relations with the neighbours. As far as I can see trellis will keep the dog in just as well as a solid fence, so there’s room for compromise perhaps. 

Round here, the police are against tall fences, as they don’t really hinder burglars but they do hide them from view. So, I am not sure that 6 ft fences really add to security. 

desthemoaner

GDB2222 said:

Again this is personal, but I would really strongly object to the fence being raised, unless these are really large gardens. Maybe, we could compromise on 3ft of fence and a couple of feet of trellis. Or, even just trellis that’s tall enough for the dog, without the fence.

Anyway, I’m not your neighbour, but you can’t expect me to be happy if you are planning to turn the open aspect gardens into some version of Colditz. 

 I'm not planning to turn any open aspect garden into "some version of Colditz".

I merely want fencing that looks presentable, has some longevity and keeps a roaming dog in check. 3 feet will do it, or wire if either neighbour objects. I could go to 2m (as another poster said) without breaking any laws or infringing covenants, but that's not the plan.

Either way, no watchtowers will be erected, no vistas unreasonably obscured ;0) 

twopenny

I wouldn't go too far with asking them what they would like.
Prefer maybe but no more than that.
I found a neighbour had removed my panels before I moved in and put up cheap 6ft ones that came down in the first storm. Only time she has been unseen for 3weeks.
Said she'd pay half, wanted 4ft then changed her mind about paying once up. I'm left with lack of privacy. 
So by all means ask but have what you want, good side towards you if you're paying. Just be sweetness and light about it.