I haven't visited for a while but thought it was about time.

I own my property. Next door is a housing association property with a fence which is clearly theirs (nice part of fence facing their garden, regulation height of 1 metre, and other reasons). It is in a complete state of disrepair, rotten bits of wood falling off, bits tied together with string, bits on the ground. They have just visited and having taken one look at the length of the garden did a funny tutting noise and said they didn't have money in the budget for such a big repair. It now has to be referred to "management". I am really annoyed as have been chasing them for months and only now that I have gotten someone to stay home and let them into THEIR property have they come and looked. I can see this will be painful. Now I know they have no legal obligation to put a fence up, but does anyone have any advice as to how to tackle this? The houses are Edwardian terraces, some of them are housing association owned (but a different one) and ALL gardens have fences (not a bit of string as the HA officer told me they had the option to use instead of a fence).

I had so been looking forward to a summer without the dog or children from two doors down appearing in my garden!!

Any advice? Anyone? Gratefully received.

In my previous property the fence hardly existed at all - mostly it was bits of green plastic netting, very attractive as you can imagine - and it was clear that my neighbours had no intention of doing anything about it. In the end the only thing I could do was ask if they minded if I put fencing up. They didn't, perhaps unsurprisingly as it was entirely at my expense! At least I got the boundary and privacy I wanted so it was worth it.

If you want a fence, there's nothing to stop you putting one up yourself. Instead of a small one metre fence you can go for a 6 foot fence. That way you don't even have to look at your neighbour.

Thanks Susiecam and Jalapeno. Yes you're right, there's nothing to stop me putting my own fence up - and hopefully eventually I will (and Jalapeno you're right - it will be super high and I will be deliriously happy). The problem is I am not in a position to do this at the moment, and I don't see why I should bankrupt myself for something that is their responsibility to maintain.

quote:

Originally posted by Jalopeno:
If you want a fence, there's nothing to stop you putting one up yourself. Instead of a small one metre fence you can go for a 6 foot fence. That way you don't even have to look at your neighbour.

I agree - just make sure it's within your boundary and "the job's a good 'un"

You might be surprised at how little it would cost. How long is your garden?

Plant a hedge?

Disguise the look of the fence by putting up climbing plants and lots of bamboo canes in front perhaps in pots?

quote:

Originally posted by Ellie2228:
which is clearly theirs (nice part of fence facing their garden.

I'd say it's your face if the 'nice part' faces their garden... on your fence you'd see the 'inside' of it...

Not necessarily. We own all our fences. One side is a hedge, the bottom and the left hand side is a wooden fence of 6' x 6' panels. We look at the nice side. That's only fair as I paid for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Roger06:
I'd say it's your face if the 'nice part' faces their garden... on your fence you'd see the 'inside' of it...

I don't think it works that way - the posts are usually in the neighbour's side.

I asked a question re fences on behalf of my elderly neighbours a few weeks ago and someone (can't remember who - sorry) directed me here:-

Garden Law Site

It's got boundaries and fence information - quite interesting actually and may be of some help!!

In our area (late Victorian houses) the owner of the fence has the 'nice side' facing them.

'Our' fence was replaced shortly before we bought the house, but the one on the other side was the a 4ft boarded fence, which seemed to be pre-War. It had wet rot , boards missing and was being prised apart by the neighbour's ivy (well, probably it was actually being held up by it!). My neighbour had no inclination to change it (he didn't even know it was his) so ten years ago we put up 6 ft trellis panels on our side (not attached to his fence). It was only ever a temporary, cheap solution (did it ourselves with metposts).

Last year, when we could afford something better, me and the neighbour agreed to pay half between us for a proper fence. I organised all the work, and we now have a beautiful fence.

Thank you everyone, this is really useful. And thanks wandapops. I can see that I'm going to end up having to do it. This fence must be minimum 10 years old. It also has dry rot - you only have to look at it and it crumbles. I think I'll try to argue it out with the housing association for as long as I can!

Garden is about 50 metres long Jalopeno - I just don't know the right people unfortunately. Concrete posts are in place so there's not even that to do - I don't understand why they say it will be expensive! Deeply unpleasant man he was.

To be fair, the Housing Association will only have a limited amount of money to spend, and a fence may not be a priority to them.

You think that it is unfair of them to state that a fence is expensive, but at the same time you think buying one will bankrupt you! Sometimes you have to see the other side of any argument, and HAs are under pressure to provide "best value".

As it has been referred to the managment committe, I'd wait to hear what they say, but if they come back saying that they can't justify paying the money, then I think you'd have to accept their decision.

quote:

Originally posted by Ellie2228:
I had so been looking forward to a summer without the dog or children from two doors down appearing in my garden!!

A long shot, and probably only worth using as a threat to spark the HA into action, but you could try telling them you'll sue them under the Human Rights Act ("right to a private family life") if the lack of a fence is causing you to have invasions into your garden. Make sure you ring the Mail first though to get lots of coverage about Human Rights Act lunacies!