fence and neighboors

[Planogirl]

All houses have wooden fences here and no one has to ask for permission. It would be nice to let the neighbor know though.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

the area I live in REQUIRES a fence to be between the yards.

the homeowners association requires it be maintained and the cost of maintence and repair has to be shared between the two homeowners.

a good thing too, the grumpy pups love to run the fence line and let everyone know that its their yard!

 

[disykat]

I can't think of any reason kids would need to be in my yard unless they were invited by myself or my kids. Do you mean you'd have random kids running around your yard without a fence!?

I can't imagine not. How do the kids keep their balls in their own yards?

Before we had our fence, we couldn't go in our back yard without all the neighbor kids coming over to play. We wouldn't have been able to let our dog out. An electric fence might keep her in, but it wouldn't keep other animals out!

But honestly, mainly I just like having a place in my yard where I can't be seen by everyone looking out their windows. I also enjoy not being able to see my neighbors when they are in their back yards. I would feel like I was being nosy going out while they were out.

Most of my yard is in the front, but I really enjoy having a little private space.

 

[shortbun]

Fences make me sad. When we moved into our current home, there was already fencing. I would not change a thing without talking to the neighbors. I would want the same courtesy from them.

 

[justhat]

Wow, I had never in my life heard of places that don't allow fences till now. I could NEVER buy a home in a place like that. We are currently fencing in our yard for several reasons. We want to keep people out (we've had some door to door solicitors, one who asked for food, plus countless people parking on the street our backyard faces--not our subdivision--just to look at the view of the city, hook up with their bf/gf, or enter my yard like some guy last week), keep our kids in (so they can play in the yard/on the playground while I don't have to worry about them running into the road), plus we have a dog who would love to be free in the yard when the kids are back there (or even alone). I don't want an electric fence at all--while that would likely keep my dog in, it would definitely NOT keep bobcats, mountain lions, javelinas, coyotes, etc. OUT. So my dog would be sitting prey for them. And she's a 71lbs 9 month old puppy, but I still worry that she could be attacked and killed by another animal. Heck, even another dog could attack her! We also have a pool so that needs to be fenced too, not just so others can't get in it, but so that my kids can't get to it even from our own yard. It isn't a law here (we live int he "county" as opposed to the "city" so there isn't a law for that here), but it is just safety common sense.

And we live in a very safe, fairly un-trafficked area. But even with that, there is no way I'd want my kids out in the yard alone knowing they could run into the street at will to chase a ball, or have some weirdo enter my yard and possibly hurt one of my kids, or have my dog run away or be attacked by an animal. Or my kids could even be attacked by an animal!


Anyway, to the OP, I don't know what I'd do if I were you (and I speak from someone who is meeting MUCH opposition from a neighbor regarding our fence right now). If you ask your neighbor, and he says he doesn't like the idea of your fence, well, then what? Will you not put it up? If you won't, then ask away. if you are installing it either way, then you'll just seem like a jerk for putting up the fence he said he hates.

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm not sure I understand what "how do you keep kids out of your yard?" !?

Forget keeping them OUT-how do you keep your own IN?? I would not feel safe letting my 5 year old out back alone to play in an area anyone could walk into or they could wander out of!

 

[golfgal]

A twin home is the same as a townhome in most areas-but just 2 "houses" connected instead of more than 2.

OP, does your homeowner's association allow you to put up privacy fences? I would check into that first. I am not a fan of the white vinyl privacy fences personally. Have you investigated putting in shrubs or other greenery along the chain link fence?

 

[aprilgail2]

A twin home is the same as a townhome in most areas-but just 2 "houses" connected instead of more than 2.

OP, does your homeowner's association allow you to put up privacy fences? I would check into that first. I am not a fan of the white vinyl privacy fences personally. Have you investigated putting in shrubs or other greenery along the chain link fence?

So you actually only buy HALF the house?? We have houses here that look like that but one person usually buys the whole thing and then rents out the other side. I don't get what the advantage would be to buy half a house-boy if you don't like the people you are attached to you are screwed!

 

[golfgal]

So you actually only buy HALF the house?? We have houses here that look like that but one person usually buys the whole thing and then rents out the other side. I don't get what the advantage would be to buy half a house-boy if you don't like the people you are attached to you are screwed!

Yes, usually though, they are in townhome associations and while you own your half of the house, the association is responsible for all the exterior upkeep-painting, yard work, etc. The advantage is not having to deal with the exterior upkeep. A lot of people do buy both sides and rent out the other side but most don't. They are very popular around here with the retired crowd because you don't have to do all of the outside stuff. They are also usually much less expensive than a single family home.

 

[TaraPA]

Forget keeping them OUT-how do you keep your own IN?? I would not feel safe letting my 5 year old out back alone to play in an area anyone could walk into or they could wander out of!

I guess we all just live in different areas. We're very rural, each house has a minumum of 2 acres so yards are very, very large, so balls rarely wander to the next yard. Kids too for that matter! Our street is very quiet - no traffic other than people that live here, so I feel very safe letting them alone out there. They're 11 & 14 so they go out unsupervised (for the most part) all the time.

When my kids were 5 I always had an eye on them in the yard, so no need for a fence.

It's interesting to see the different types of areas & reasons everyone loves or hates a fence!

 

[FredinFL]

Most of my yard is side yard so keeping "an eye" on the kids didn't fly. A bunny or a ball crossing out of the yard into the street was a baaad thing. I had to be right there on top of them. When we got the dog we finally put up the fence. Between him, the fence and the fact the youngest was now 7, I finally let them play in the yard alone and just kept an eye on them from the kitchen and deck.

 

[tlbwriter]

Even if you don't *have* to tell them, I would. They may be eager to get rid of the chain link fence.

 

[disykat]

deleted.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

This is a really interesting thread! Twin homes are normal around here but they are old and not in areas with a home owners association. Some of them look awful because the outsides are different colors, kept up differently etc.

The fence discussion is interesting too! Around here everyone has a fence, the bigger and more private the better! We are buying a house and have already gotten quotes on putting in a privacy fence! I don't want anyone seeing in my yard or risking any stray dogs getting in! The normal property size is around 1/4 to 1/2 acre.

 

[DisneyChula]

We knew when we bought our house that we were going to install a fence. We made sure to let the neighbors know out of courtesy that this is what we were planning on doing. Neither of our neighbors had a problem with it and in fact our one neighbor insisted on helping us! We were very lucky to get the neighbors we did. That being said - it's still your property and that makes it your decision. I agree with a PP to make sure you check with your town or association to make sure that it is ok to install the fence and I would definately let your neighbors know about what you are planning out of courtesy. However, even if they say that they would prefer if you don't, it's still your decision and until they pay your mortgage, they don't get the final say!

 

[sixcats]

I would give the neighbor a heads up that you are having the work done. Maybe they would welcome the chance to get the chain link out before you put your fence up.

Don't be like our neighbor. He replaced the wood fence between our houses a few years ago. He informed all of the neighbors that shared fences with him. He informed us so he could show us the bill and ask for "our half" of the cost. Stupidly, we agreed to split the cost of the bill he showed us. After it was all done he showed up with a corrected bill from his friend's company at double the price. We wrote him a check for the original agreed upon amount. The relationship has never been the same. Not long ago his wife mentioned the cost of their fence, she quoted the lower amount. I guess he wanted a free fence.

I think it is a good thing to let neighbors know when you are having any messy, noisy work done, just as a courtesy.

 

[justhat]

I guess we all just live in different areas. We're very rural, each house has a minumum of 2 acres so yards are very, very large, so balls rarely wander to the next yard. Kids too for that matter! Our street is very quiet - no traffic other than people that live here, so I feel very safe letting them alone out there. They're 11 & 14 so they go out unsupervised (for the most part) all the time.

When my kids were 5 I always had an eye on them in the yard, so no need for a fence.

It's interesting to see the different types of areas & reasons everyone loves or hates a fence!

We have over an acre, but I still fear that my kids would wander to the street, or that a stranger would make their way in. And the dog would definitely run away without a fence.

And I keep an eye on my kids in the yard too, but right now, with no completed fence, I have no choice but to sit outside with them. And I just can't always do that with other things to do in the house. So that means less outdoor time for them, which I don't think it entirely fair to them. I don't consider it keeping my eye on them if I just check out of the window a few times. Anything could happen as soon as I turn my back, so if I'm not there, they can't be outside. With a fence, at least I am assured that the kids will stay in the yard (our fence is 6' masonry wall/wrought iron) and also that others can't get in (not easily anyway).

 

[sorcerormickey]

You really need to check with your City as well. When we lived in Michigan, we needed written approval from not only all of our abutters, but the abutters of our abutters! It was quite a lot of people.

 

[emma'smom]

Pools aren't allowed in our neighborhood. Also, why would I want to keep kids out of my yard if they are just coming through to get a ball or passing through on the way up to another neighbor's house? It is safer to walk through the back yards than on the front street.

As for keeping my children in, from the time they were toddlers I was either outside with them or as they got older I simply told them "stay in the backyards" and they would. There are about 8 lawns that all connect and most families have children-- so sometimes I'll look out and a neighbor child will be on our play set and/or if we put up the big water slide some will toss on bathing suits and come up to play. Isn't that what a neighborhood is for? To enjoy spending time with your neighbors?

If we have company or some reason why neighborhood children shouldn't be there, I will simply say "Today isn't a good day for everyone to play here because we have company, but you can come back tomorrow." ...and I tell my children "Don't go over to (insert neighbor's name) yard right now because it looks like they have company and we don't want to interrupt. Even then-- usually it would be fine, but it is nice to be respectful.

If you don't have fences how do you keep kids out of your yard? What if you had a pool?

 

[disneyfans95]

Here in my area of NY, if you put up a face, the "good side" (meaning the pretty side) has to FACE the neighbor.

Some faces they are the same on both sides so no big deal, but on others it can be an issue.

My area we have no HOA's (personally I dislike them, but understand why others do), so putting one up is not an issue, but the Town does have the law about what side faces the home owner.

Never seen a double house either. Looks like a condo mostly to me. Must be rough sharing a common wall with someone like that. Too much like renting, IMHO