A WOMAN has declared a ”neighbour war” after her neighbour’s garden was so full of rubbish it caused her fence to collapse.
Furious social media user @hughesrachy took to TikTok to rant after the mess in the neighbour‘s garden caused her wooden fence to crumble – and eventually fall down.
According to the woman, the person living next door had accumulated a pile of items which the man stored outside.
A recent video posted online also revealed ”the state” of the garden, jampacked with full bin bags, plastic storage boxes, wires and even what appeared to be an old washing machine.
There also seemed to be old tech, a canopy with no cover on top, a string of garden lights, a swing frame with no swings and more.
The TikToker claimed that they ”had a fence in front of this” – but that the neighbours ”had put all kinds of stuff inbetween the two fences”.
This, she claimed in the video, caused her fence to fall down and the TikToker was left with a ”crumbled fence behind”.
After approaching the neighbours and asking to go halves to cover the cost of a new fence, the woman said they ”refused” to chip in.
Eventually, the neighbour‘s fence collapsed entirely and fell down into her garden, revealing a huge mess on the other side.
The woman went on: ”So had it removed was it wasn’t safe.”
Unfortunately for the TikTok user, it didn’t end there.
Not only is she now left with no fence and privacy whatsoever, she claimed the neighbour ”won’t pay and is waiting for her ”to pay to get a new one”.
”How is this ok?” she was outraged, declaring the start of ”neighbour wars” in the caption.
Since being posted online, the clip has taken the internet by storm, amassing close to 460k views in just 16 hours.
It also has over 2,200 likes and 345 shares – however, the TikToker has turned commenting off.
How to create privacy in your garden
CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden:
1. Fencing
- Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy.
2. Hedges and Plants
- Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.
3. Outdoor Curtains
- Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.
4. Sound Barriers
- A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern.
£20,000 garden fence fine
UK boundary rules mean your humble garden fence could turn into a legal nightmare if you get it wrong.
Whether you’re upgrading panels or building from scratch, the regulations are clear and local councils aren’t afraid to crack down.
New rules which came in last week under the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 outline what homeowners can build without needing full planning permission.
Gurpreet Chhokar, Which? Legal Expert, said: “If you’re thinking of putting up a new garden fence this summer, there are a few important things to bear in mind to make sure you don’t break any laws and find yourself landed with a fine.”
Back garden fence
For a back garden fence, you’re allowed a fence up to two metres high (that’s about six foot six) without needing planning permission.
Gurpreet said: ” if you don’t have planning permission then your fence can’t be any higher than two metres from the ground.”
Go any higher, even with a decorative trellis, and you’ll need to get approval first.
Skip this step and you could be forced to tear it down, or even worse – face enforcement action.
Front fence
At the front of your property, things get stricter.
Fences can’t go above one metre if you live next to a footpath, road or public space.
That’s just over three feet tall.
It’s designed to help visibility for drivers and pedestrians but plenty of homeowners are caught out.
Breaching planning rules can lead to an enforcement notice and, in some cases, fines.
If your fence causes a statutory nuisance, such as flooding or blocked drains, you could face penalties of up to £5,000 or £20,000 for a business under environmental regulations.
Ignore it, and things can escalate to court.
Neighbour disputes are the most common property complaint in the UK and they often boil down to where the boundary actually is.
Before building, measure up carefully and chat things through with your neighbour.
Snapping a few photos and getting a handshake agreement could save you a legal headache down the line.
