A HOMEOWNER has discovered a simple but stylish hack to stop the neighbours from peering into her garden.
She originally had concrete posts, with a wooden fence between them but found it wasn’t giving her enough privacy in her garden.
So the woman took to the Facebook group Gardening On A Budget Official to ask for some advice on how she can overcome the issue.
Posting a picture of her garden which clearly showed the fence, she asked others of their experiences with adding a trellis to the top of the fence.
A trellis is a structure and is usually made from an open framework or intersecting pieces of wood, bamboo or metal.
Some people may also use them for decorative purposes as it is normally made to support and display climbing plants, especially shrubs.
The homeowner wrote on the Facebook post: “I want to put trellis on top of my fence panels to give a bit more privacy.
“But the trellis will go higher than the concrete fence posts so there’ll be gaps in between the trellis. I don’t know if this will look fine or rubbish.
“Has anyone got photos of trellis on top of fence panels where the concrete posts have created gaps? Or found a way around this?”
The post sparked a lot of discussion as many rushed to the comments section to share their advice.
One commented on the fact that the concrete post is “already 6ft.”
They continued: “Then I would have a word with your neighbour beforehand, or check with your local council.
“If I was your neighbour I would feel a bit hemmed in by a taller fence, trellis or not and would be checking myself, so possibly save yourself an expensive ‘mistake’.
“Small trees or taller shrubs would work and are permissible.”
To which the homeowner replied: “I’ve spoken to them. I’ve checked and I don’t need any council permission for trellis either. But well done for flagging.”
Another said: “You can put post extenders in between to fill the gaps.
“You can make them out of a length of wooden fence post if you are handy?”
A third wrote: “if you buy the expandable trellis it can go over the top of the concrete posts, that is what we have done.”
Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking.
While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues.
Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research.
The gardening experts reveal: “If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. “
While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it.
“But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn.
The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO.
You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer.
Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing.
To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries
“Most of the time, it’s easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side,” they add.
“Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance.
“Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height.
“Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn’t have a problem.”
Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade.
But if it obstructs your neighbour’s view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures.
“If you’re not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you’re planning and, if there’s an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance,” advise the gardening experts.
Overhanging branches and plants: “When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour’s tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance,” reveal the pros.
However, it’s important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing.
You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don’t have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
