Latest news with #fence
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
I accidentally ruined my neighbour's fence after I painted mine – but it's not the mess that's annoyed people the most
A DIY enthusiast has revealed that after giving his fence a lick of fresh paint, he soon realised he had accidentally ruined his neighbour's fence in the process. Unsure of what to do, the homeowner took to social media to show off the 'nightmare' and ask for people's advice on how to remove the stains. 2 2 But while many were stunned by the mess, this wasn't what annoyed people the most. In fact, users were more bothered by the colour he had chosen to paint his fence - yes, you heard that correctly. Posting on Reddit, on the r/DIYUK thread, the anonymous man shared his post under the username @nokpaan and wrote: 'HELP!!! Made a mess of [my] neighbou r's fence.' Alongside pictures of his neighbour's side of the fence, he then confessed: 'I recently painted/stained my fence with the paint dripping over to my neighbours side of the fence. 'Has anyone come across this nightmare or has any idea on how to remove this stain?' In an attempt to clean up his error, he shared: 'I've tried using a sander and paint stripper was of little help.' Desperate to fix the issue, he begged: 'Any product or idea will be highly welcomed and appreciated.' Reddit advice. One person said: 'Offer to paint their side the same colour.' Another added: 'Oops. That won't be coming out any time soon! I'm sorry but you must surely have noticed what was happening whilst you were undertaking this work? DIY Privacy Fences: Affordable Garden Solutions 'There's literally nothing that will get that out, so it's either stain their side too, cover it somehow, or replace the fence.' Whilst a third commented: 'Only option is to bite the bullet and paint their fence as well.' The Top Five Reasons Neighbours Squabble One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue Broken fences - top of the board was broken fences and whose responsibility it was to fix it Parking: one of the leading drivers of neighbour disputes, with 54.1 per cent of people having issues with people parking in front of their house, parking bay or driveway Trees - complaints about a neighbour's tree cracking your garden path was also common with nearly half of participants finding it frustrating Bin wars - outdoor bin etiquette continues to ignite the most furious debates between neighbours Nosy Neighbours - some people have their eyes and ears at the ready to have a peek causing problems for others But it turns out it wasn't the mess that frustrated people the most - in fact, many were more offended that the man had chosen to paint his fence grey. Not only did someone describe it as a 'hellish grey fence', but alongside a puking emoji, one user sighed: 'And of all the A second questioned: 'Did you think you'd somehow be able to only paint one side without it bleeding through to the other side. Grey? Really? On a garden fence?' At the same time, another wondered: 'When will this terrible fashion for grey wood die out? My neighbour did the same.' Meanwhile, one person confessed: 'If this was my fence I would have you replace it. I would not want a grey fence that needs maintenance every two/three years.' Rules on fences and trees Fences: Height Restrictions: In most areas, fences in front gardens should not exceed one metre in height without planning permission. For rear gardens, the limit is generally two metres. Shared Fences: If a fence is shared with a neighbour, both parties are typically responsible for its maintenance and any costs associated with repairs or replacement. Building Regulations: Ensure that any new fence complies with local building regulations and does not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians. Trees: Ownership: Trees located on your property are your responsibility, including any damage they may cause. Conversely, trees on a neighbour's property are their responsibility. Overhanging Branches: You are entitled to trim branches that overhang into your property, but only up to the boundary line. The cut branches should be offered back to the tree owner. Protected Trees: Some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Check with your local council before undertaking any work on a tree, as unauthorised work can result in fines. Roots: If tree roots from a neighbour's tree cause damage to your property, you have the right to remove the roots. However, it is advisable to discuss this with your neighbour first to avoid disputes. Always consult your local council or a legal adviser for specific regulations and advice. In response to the comments, the Reddit author later wrote: 'I made a mistake hence I wanna fix it to have a good relationship with my neighbour. '[The] neighbour doesn't want to paint his fence so I might have to cover the mess. 'Thanks for the help and I don't think I'm touching a brush anytime soon.'
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The B&Q buy that stopped nosy neighbours peeking into my garden – took minutes to fit & £1.5k cheaper than a new fence
A SMALL rotten picket fence, that is suffocating under the weight of unruly ivy and bindweed sits between myself and my neighbours. We both have 80ft gardens, but the evening sun lands on my side of their fence. 4 4 And of course, they want to enjoy the sun too, so they sit as close as possible to the fence, meaning we have nothing but a few pieces of wood separating us. It's as uncomfortable and awkward as you can imagine. But privacy isn't an issue solely related to topping up our Vitamin D; I can't potter around my garden, watering my plants, without feeling my neighbour's eyes burning into the back of my head, or enjoy the morning sun with a cup of coffee in my pyjamas. In an ideal world, we'd put up a new fence. But according to Land Registry, the fence on the right side of our garden is our neighbours' responsibility - or more specifically, the landlord who owns the house and rents it out. And they have no intention to spend any money on erecting a new one. A basic 6ft high wooden fence could cost anywhere from £1,600 to £3,000 for one side of my garden and across the back - that's if the cheapest fence panels are chosen. That's a lot of money to spend on a fence that isn't yours... So a privacy fence would have to do in the meantime, until our budget allows for a brand new fence. With the permission of the landlord, we were allowed to attach a bamboo screen to our side of the neighbours fence to offer instant privacy. And B&Q's Bamboo Split Slat Fencing Screening Rolls for Garden Outdoor Privacy did the job. The privacy screen is 4m long, but comes in a variety of heights, making it suitable for all gardens. Trying out Lidl's new weeding tools As for the price, they start at £24.99. 4mx1m - £24.99 4mx1.2m - £29.99 4mx1.5m - £36.99 4mx1.8m - was £46.99, currently on offer for £42.99 4mx2m - was £49.99, currently on offer for £44.99 Standing at two metres, or 6"6 tall and four metres long, we needed two screens to cover the exposed area of the fence. So in total, it cost under £100 - a whopping £1,500 cheaper than getting a new fence. The online product description for the screen reads: "This robust and eco-friendly bamboo slat fencing screening roll will make a perfect practical addition to your garden. "It is popular as a way to improve existing fencing and frame flower beds. "The bamboo is strong enough to increase the height of existing fences. It can be used on its own or attached to an existing fence.. These bamboo slat fencing screening rolls can be attached to existing garden fences, stone walls, chain link wire fencing, arbours and many other areas the garden which requires screening or shade. "It can be easily attached to wooden garden fences by the use of galvanised garden staples securing top and bottom of the bamboo slat fencing screening." 4 4 Using long screws and mushroom caps, we attached the screen to the existing picket fence every foot or so along, and it stood proudly. It's a two person job; one to screw and one to roll it out and hold it tight. But after 10 minutes, both screens were up! As for how it screen isn't entirely opaque; there are tiny gaps between the bamboo rods that let some light through. So unless you and your neighbour have a staring competition, you can't see them. Plus, when the sun hits it, it leaves a beautiful dappled effect across the grass. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it looks. And I wasn't the only happy customer. One left a review which read: "These fences are so nice, they really brightened our garden and covered our older looking fences. My husband just screwed them into our existing fences. Hope they last throughout the winter season." Another said: "Bought this to cover an unsightly pebble dashed garage. It looks great, is really strong and will also act as a climbing frame for my plants too!" A third wrote: "We've just used this to cover a wall in bad condition. Very pleased with the look of it." What are your rights over a fence row? IT'S very important to know your rights if you are embroiled in a fence row with a neighbour. How do I know which side I own? A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway. The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing. Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn't any legal basis for this. You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for. Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic. Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are. Pros say: "The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side. 'This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 'This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side.' Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit. While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain. Fines and punishment It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines. There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence. Fencing pros have suggested: 'It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no 'bad' side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.' If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an 'easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden'. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes. If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them. Changing a boundary If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed. The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added. In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it. But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage. How high can a garden fence be? The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours '. A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it's over than 2m. However, there are some complications to this. If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft. You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m. But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant. One other review read: "Sturdy bamboo screening, not the cheapest but worth it compared to others I have seen. Very easy to install. And lovely when it's up. Going to order some more. Really quick delivery. Great buy." As for whether it holds up in extreme weather, two days later, the weather turned, and winds whipped around the garden, but because of the small gaps between the bamboo, it was more resistant and allowed the wind to pass through. With a year warranty, it gives us enough time to save up for a brand new fence.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman 'Finally' Built a Fence to Keep Her Neighbors' Kids Out — And Now the Neighbors Are Complaining
A woman's neighbors asked her to change the placement of her new fence because they can no longer fit two cars in their driveway The woman — who says she built the fence because of the neighbors' unruly children — is now wondering if she's being 'unreasonable' if she refuses She shared her story on Mumsnet, where the majority of commenters said her neighbors' parking issues are not her problemA woman is debating whether it would be "unreasonable" for her to ignore her neighbors' request for her to move a new fence in her yard. The woman explained in a post on Mumsnet that she 'finally' installed a fence on her property, after 'months' of her neighbor's children playing on her lawn, 'chucking soccer balls' at her house, 'constantly standing' by her living room window, and 'shouting and waking up' her toddler. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! While the fence immediately solved 'all the issues,' her neighbors are less than thrilled. She said that they told her they are now struggling to fit both their cars in their driveway, as there is now not enough space to open the driver's side door on one of their vehicles. '[The neighbor] has asked if I could move the fence further [in] on my bit, but it will impact my own ability to have two cars on my driveway,' the original poster (OP) said. 'AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to decline this, as it's on my own driveway?' Mumsnet users were quick to tell the OP that she has every right to build a fence on her own property — and that her neighbors' parking issue are not her problem. 'No, YANBU [you are not being unreasonable] — don't move it,' one person said, adding, 'They were using your driveway before for access to their car. [It's] not your problem if they now can't use your driveway.' 'YANBU in the slightest. Say no, unfortunately, you can't. The boundary is the boundary, and moving it would cause potential issues when selling,' someone else said. The same person added, 'I love that he also presumably wants YOU to pay so HE can park his cars. Just nuts …' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'YANBU. If they had bothered to manage their children's behavior, there wouldn't be a fence. So it's a problem of their own making,' another chimed in. Read the original article on People
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘A sensitive topic,' How to handle fence feuds or other neighbour conflicts
This downed white picket fence is shown along North Broadway near Waterloo Road, after winds from a tornado knocked down power lines, damaged homes and businesses Tuesday afternoon, Feb.10, 2009, in Edmond, Okla. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh) Neighbourly disputes over fence feuds are both common and complicated, but one expert says that the polite approach is almost always the best one. 'It's a sensitive topic, from the beginning,' said Christina Vechsler, a corporate, commercial and real estate lawyer, in an interview with 'You see a very wide range of issues.' Who owns a fence if it's right on the property line? How can you be sure if someone builds on your side? What happens if you decide to share costs, then your neighbour moves away? We asked readers to share their stories of next-door nightmares and turned to the experts on what options are available to help. Here's what to know about keeping the peace on the homefront: Fence feuds A common theme among the responses we received: When it comes to fences, it can be hard not to take offence. One reader said he complained to his neighbour after carpenters trampled some of his plants while building a fence between their Toronto homes, only to see that neighbour later extend the fence tall enough to block sunlight to his garden. Another told us that decades ago, she and her husband sold their Saskatoon home and moved away from a problem-neighbour situation after 10 years, but not before a disagreement over paint colours ended with two parallel fences running along either side of the property line. In Edmonton, a reader said her neighbour built a fence so close to her house that it became 'almost impossible' to reach her backyard from that end of the property. And one email from Surrey, B.C., told the story of a neighbour boarding up a pathway between two houses, even though basement tenants used it regularly to access their apartments. Some cases went beyond a one-on-one dispute: One Toronto reader said her stepmother and her neighbours lost access to their parking spots when a new arrival on the block built a wall across the shared lane connecting their driveways to the road. She said the ordeal ended up leading to a years-long legal dispute. So, if you're stuck in a boundary battle, what can you do? Laws can vary significantly by province and municipality, but wherever you are, it helps to do your homework. Respecting boundaries If you're concerned about a neighbour's fence, Vechsler told CTV News the first step should be to make sure you've got all the information. Reviewing the documents you received when you purchased the home, what's held publicly on the title or even ordering a fresh survey of the land by a provincially licensed surveyor can help reveal whether something's imposed on your property. Equipped with that information, it may just take an earnest exchange of words to solve the problem. 'The first thing I always suggest is to go and speak to your neighbour, where feasible, to the extent that you can have those open and honest conversations,' Vechsler told 'Act in good faith, and be transparent about what it is that you're seeking to achieve.' An informal agreement, or better yet, a written agreement, is the goal, she said. Throughout the process, it's also important to document your interactions on the issue, either by communicating over email, or keeping your own notes. Some municipalities, like Toronto, offer referrals to community mediation services for property conflicts. However, those local governments, also like Toronto, may refuse to play a direct role in 'resolving disputes about the location or costs of boundary fences between properties.' A formal letter to your neighbour with all the relevant information may resolve the issue, but other options include filing in small-claims court, or submitting a bylaw complaint with your municipality, where applicable. Experts note that taking matters into your own hands, such as by ripping up a fence you don't want there, can make things worse. 'You need to be careful about where the line is … that's absolute,' said Vechsler. 'You need to be careful about what's shared down the middle.' As confident as you may be that the fence is on your property, you may be mistaken. Even if it's sitting directly on the lot line, touching or damaging objects like fences or trees may cause more problems. 'Absolutely, there can be potential actions and trespass. There can be potential claims for any damages,' she said. Vechsler told CTV News that simply talking things out in a respectful manner is often the best solution, in part because it helps maintain the broader relationship with your neighbour. Even something as small as keeping everyone informed about repairs or changes to the fence can go a long way. 'It seems like an easy step to take, but it can make all the difference,' she said.
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Ask the head gardener: How can I get my clematis under control?
Dear Tom, I planted a Clematis 'Mayleen' by my fence about three years ago. It has grown rapidly, and this year had an abundance of beautiful pink flowers. Now the plant is growing on and on and looks a mess – and my neighbour doesn't like it growing over the fence. Also I have rose bushes planted near the clematis and the new shoots stick to the roses. I would love to have some advice on how to prune it, or what to do with it. – Eva Dear Eva, It makes a pleasant change to receive a question about a plant that is growing too well, but on this occasion, that doesn't mean that there are not a number of issues. Clematis enjoy growing in a sunny position (such as next to the fence that you provided for your 'Mayleen'), and like their roots to be in more cool and moist soil conditions. The spot that you have provided in your garden is perfect, which is why this vigorous climber is looking quite at home. Clematis montana (of which 'Mayleen' is a cultivar) sits in a collection of clematis known as Group 1. This group is characterised by its early flowering and quite often has a number of very vigorous species within it. As these clematis grow rapidly year on year, they soon outgrow most domestic situations such as fence panels. They should be pruned immediately after flowering, enabling them to put on fresh growth that will then produce flowers the year after. The way that I see it, you have a couple of options. The first is to rejuvenate the plant by cutting it down close to the base. A healthy Clematis montana often responds well to this treatment. This will trigger lots of fresh growth from the base that can then be trained to cover the fence with more growth towards the bottom of the plant. Immediately after flowering next year, shear off the stems so that they are tight against the fence, which will encourage fresh growth and keep the plant more compact. In all honesty, this clematis might be too big for that spot, but this pruning style is a way in which you might be able to keep the plant growing in that part of your garden for a number of years to come. There is potential to shear off the growth that has flowered in a less severe manner, but that will not be as conclusive as the rejuvenation technique. Looking at the other end of the extreme, an acceptance that this Clematis montana is too big for your fence will result in the opportunity to plant a brand new clematis that perhaps is more compact and suitable for that spot. Group 3 clematis flower later in the year on growth that is produced that spring and summer. Clematis viticella types can be very decorative and I find the easiest to prune because they simply get taken down to the ground each spring. Clematis tangutica, with its yellow flowers and gorgeous seed heads that persist into the winter, is another option that you could look at, being better-behaved than your monstrous montana. If you're looking to replace your clematis, then incorporate a couple of wheelbarrows of well-rotted compost or manure to reinvigorate the soil and encourage lots of strong growth from your new plant, and make sure to water it well for the first summer.
