A homeowner said they were ‘shocked’ by the response of their neighbour when they installed a fence around their garden
Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor
11:17, 06 Aug 2025
The homeowner says their neighbour complained about the new fence (stock image)(Image: Getty)
A homeowner has asked for advice after a neighbour complained about their new garden fence. The homeowner, posting as ElectronicPast939, recounted the incident on the ‘r/Homeowners’ subreddit, explaining that their neighbour was upset their dog could no longer use the garden after the fence went up.
The Reddit user provided some context, saying: “So for background, my next door neighbour has a really small plot. It’s about 1/8 acre. Both myself and his other next door neighbour have almost full acre lots. I bought my house from an elderly woman who never really left the house so I guess she gave this guy free reign to use the yard as he wishes. He would use the area to play with his dog.”
According to the post, the house required some attention, so before moving in, the homeowner brought in a contractor to carry out various tasks, including the construction of a six-foot privacy fence around the perimeter and expanding the driveway. They assured that a survey had been conducted and everything was “all above board”.
The narrative continued with the homeowner observing that shortly after their fence went up, the other adjacent neighbour also opted to install a privacy fence. This action inadvertently ‘boxed in’ the complaining neighbour, making his property and garden appear somewhat “squeezed in” and significantly reducing the space available for his dog’s playtime, reports the Mirror.
They added: “I didn’t get a chance to meet him until a few weeks after my family moved in.” The Reddit user says they don’t own any animals themselves and admits to liking a “well manicured” garden, so “I take good care of it and landscaping is kind of my hobby”.
The homeowner built a ‘six foot privacy fence’ around the property but one neighbour wasn’t happy (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Sharing what happened next, the Reddit user said: “Immediately, he starts complaining about how he has been there 25 years and nobody has had a fence in all that time. He also told me about how when the driveway was widened I took away the area his dog used as a bathroom and it was having accidents in the house as a result.
“He also said that it was rude of me to fence off, ‘all that land that you don’t even use or need’, and his property looked ‘ridiculous and small’ now that the fences are up. Finally he said that all he can see is fence anytime he looks out his window.”
The Reddit user says they felt “shocked” by the comments. “I just gave him a ‘wow that must be terrible’, and backed away from the conversation,” they posted. At the end, the homeowner said: “I guess I’m asking how would you approach this? Im not looking to make mortal enemies with this guy but also I don’t really give a ****. My house is my house. Thoughts?”
The Reddit user says they felt “shocked” by the comments (stock image)
It didn’t take long for comments to begin pouring in from fellow Reddit users with suggestions and advice. One person replied: “I don’t see how your neighbour’s lack of a yard is your problem.” A second person commented: “I think you handled it well. ‘Sorry you’re in this situation’ is all I’d say.
A third said: “There are dog parks he can go to, and why was he letting his dog do its business in someone else’s property?” A fourth suggested: “Just be polite and keep interactions to a minimum.” Another put forward: “To be fair you’re hogging the property tax bill on that land also. And insurance.”
One more put: “I think you handled it well. I don’t agree with the way he handled it but I empathise that it must suck with having had access and site lines for 25 years and then things changing, that does suck. But nothing wrong with what you did. He just needs to learn to vent his frustration internally or within his family.”
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