Our neighbour painted our fence without permission

[peachbunny]

The fence very definitely is ours, shows on our deeds. The neighbour insists she can do what she likes to"her side"of our fence. I know she is wrong and can be classed as criminal damage. The police refuse to act and say this is a civil matter. Is this right?

[zzxxee]

i would just be glad shes painted it and keeping it up together many neighbours dont bother,
if its not on your side i wouldnt worry.

[boxtops]

I think you are wrong on that one, peachbunny - it's his side of the fence, he paints it how he wants it, even though it's your boundary fence. IMO.

[boxtops]

^ sorry, her side not his

[askyourgran]

Peachy when do you see her side of the fence? do you go on to her property to paint your fence? Would she let you? Aren't you pleased that she is at least looking after her side of the fence by painting it whatever. get a life or pull the fence down.

[oscarina]

If the fence is on her side and you can't see it to paint it yourself would you not be glad that the neighbour has painted it, it maintains it. I have a back fence which faces a neighbour and she has painted it, I don't mind as she sees it more than I do and therefore wants to keep the place maintained, granted she did ask!

[bednobs]

you went to the police about your neighbour painting your fence? Sheesh!

[4getmenot]

I painted all my fence inside garden, even though one side obviously belongs to next door, and really wouldnt bother me if other side painted the one belonging to me. Is it doing you any harm?

[craft1948]

Take it down just for badness.........

[Count-A-Strong]

My thoughts also bednobs. What a plonker.

[Postdog]

My neighbour was guilty of something similar because he had OCD and painted loads of walls and fences in our area. Luckily the police did do something - he was charged with painting my wall and asked for three other fences to be taken into consideration

[boxtops]

Derrrr @ postdog ;-)

[Batterseadog]

If the fence was painted with preservative stain then it can only be for the good. If you have bright purple smears and drips seeping through to your side then that would be aggravating. As a neighbourly courtesy, mentioning it first would have been the polite thing to do and then for you to say, great, thank you for helping preserve the fence would also be the polite thing to do. Do you think they did it for improvement or just to annoy you? Try and not fret and get angry over trivial stuff, you have to live together and I bet you have more important things to worry over.

[society]

What Zxee said.

[gingejbee]

Think that most of us think that you should THANK her for her actions.

[jno]

is the fence a boundary fence? If it's not and is something that's wholly on your property, then yes, you could probably sue her for trespass. Is there any actual damage, though? In practical terms I would have thought it's not worth the effort involved in quarreling with a neighbour.

[cassa333]

If, on your deeds, you have responsibility for the fence and it was paid for by you then it is your fence ans your neighbour cannot.. Paint it, stain it screw or nail anything into it or grow anything up against it. If she does It is considered criminal damage but it is unlikely the police will do anything about it.

It is a falasy that the a. the neighbour can do what they like to theri side and b. the neighbour has the 'good' side. It is your fence you decide what happens to it.

In theory unless stated in your deeds you do not have to errect or maintane a femce and could put up a few old pallets and sheeting.

[Dris]

We have a boundary fence erected by previous owner.When we paint it we just paint the side we see as it would be cheeky to expect my neighbour to have any colour we wanted on the side they see.I personally think your neighbour is right after all she didnt ask for the fence in the first place so is likely making the best of it.

[Berkshirelad]

Cassa333 is exactly right. The neighbour may not do anything to your fence without your permission.