Fencing dispute

Kellou22

Bit of a strange one but bear with me.
Last year 2 of my fence panels came down (facing out towards bottom of my garden it was my left side ) my neighbour asked me what my plans were. 

I said I’d sort it when I had the money 
(I’m a single mum of 3 unable to work at present as I have 2 children with additional needs ) 
I saved over a few months and had the whole side of the fence replaced with concrete posts and gavel boards etc… wasn’t cheap but looked loads better than the old wonky fence (with 2 broken panels ) 
just to point out there is a shed after the fence I replaced then the fencing continues up to the hedge at the front that they had replaced before I moved in (after the old lady who previously lived here died) 
at the front there was a large hedge separating the garden (same neighbour so looking out my front door would be the right hand side ).
he replaced the fence at the other neighbours side then approached me and asked about replacing the hedge with a fence. 

He said he would happily rip out the hedge (which he hated cos he hated having to cut it and he’s having an new drive way done ) and fit the fence if I paid for the fencing, boards and posts.
he got me a price and I agreed to it it’s a win win for us both. 

Now here comes the issue he ordered the fence and had it delivered I paid him for it. He’s started erecting the fence today and has put the good side to his side despite it being my fence (I paid for it ) am I being unreasonable in thinking that it’s my fence that Ive paid for so should have the good side my side not his.
this sounds petty I know but his garden with bloom perfect with the good side facing his garden from both sides where mine has the “bad side “ at both sides yet he’s still taken my money to pay for it , 

Muskey

I thought tradition was that the owner of the fence puts the good side towards the neighbour…..isn’t that what he’s done?

Aylesbury_Duck

Honestly?  Leave it.  Technically as it's your fence (you bought it) you're entitled to have it erected as you wish, but he's also providing the labour for nothing, and it really isn't worth the aggravation to have a dispute over something so trivial.  I paid for a fence between me and a neighbour and actually elected to have the "bad side" facing me.  It's quite a long run and an unbroken run of fencing just looks bland, whereas I have the posts and rails visible on my side, which is actually more visually appealing to me.

If you bring it up, there's a chance he turns round and says "erect it yourself, then".  What would you do then?

mebu60

If it's your fence the 'good' side should be facing outwards. Which it sounds like he has done. 

Personally I prefer the inside so-called 'bad' side. 

Kellou22

I absolutely get what your saying regarding the good side facing the neighbour being supposed good etiquette but as I tried to point out above he didn’t follow that rule when erecting the fence at the other side and he also replaced the fence in between our side doors (admittedly before I moved in ) and again gave himself the “good” side neither did my neighbour the other side who also gave themselves the good side so again at the risk of sounding a bit petty I’m supposed to accept that “rule” graciously but nobody round me does. 

I just feel like I’ve been mugged off a bit if I’m honest 

RefluentBeans

I guess it comes down to how much you actually care. From the neighbours POV - it may be their ‘reward’ for the hard work of erecting a fence. Should they have asked first? Maybe. 

I think it’s down to you on how you proceed and what your relationship is with your neighbour. If it’s neutral then I would think it’s not worth putting the relationship into potentially rocky territory over a fence. If it’s good - then it depends if the perks of a good neighbour would go away (eg borrowing items etc). 

It’s also worth noting that if it’s already put in - then it is actually not too easy to remove a fence panel without damaging it - as you’ll have to lift it up and out. So it may be too late to insist them to do that. 

Is the fence in your property or in theirs? If it’s on your property - nothing to stop you from taking the panels out yourself and hoping they don’t say anything. 

I reiterate - it’s a personal decision but be sure to be happy to deal with the repercussions of any action you take. 

prettyandfluffy

I can see why you're irritated, but it isn't worth risking falling out over.  Maybe plant something to screen it? (Not a hedge!).  Once it's been there a couple of weeks, you won't even notice it any more.

user1977

Nothing to do with Consumer Rights anyway!

Okell

There are no rules about whether you or your neighbours get the benefit of the "good" side*.

Absent of anything in your title deeds there also are no rules about whether you are responsible for the fence "on the left" or "on the right".

Absent anything in your title deeds, when a fence gets blown down or rots away, discuss it with your neighbour and try to reach a mutually agreeable resolution.  If that can't be achieved, simply either get the fence replaced yourself or leave it for your neighbour to sort out if you aren't bothered about the fence not being there. 

If you replace the fence yourself, you decide whether you get the good side or the bad side.  But if somebody is putting it up for you and not charging you for their labour, then don't complain if they put it up the wrong way round - unless you instructed them what to do and they ignored your instructions.

Lastly, fences are the most trivial thing on earth to have a dispute with anyone about.  Don't do it...


*We had all of a mutual fence with a neighbour replaced years ago.  I wasn't bothered about whose responsibility it was and I paid to get it replaced.  The fencer asked which way round I wanted it.  I wanted the good side.  (After all, I was paying for it!).  On reflection (like some previous posters) I think my neighbour got the better of the two sides...

gwynlas

At least you have the benefit of the rails to attach plant supports to. Once the fence weathers in and feels less new and in your face it is unlikely that you will notice it. I am of the opinion that if neighbour wanted to replace hedge with fence for their own purposes then they should have paid for the lot and you ave been over generous. if he is handy enough to install fence to good standard then call on him for favours with other Diy jobs in recompense

comeandgo

We have a very large garden and we are the first house on the estate and back onto woodland.  Our fence has the “good” side facing away from us.  This was to help stop any people thinking of climbing over the fence, plus having the posts our side helps with hanging plants and training climbing plants.