Can we fix wooden trellis on top of wall to stop dog jumping over

Question

about fifteen years ago, my mother-in-law went on holiday and when she came back home she found her neighbours built a wall dividing her garden from theirs. They put the supports on my mother-in-law's side.

My mother-in-law has just recently died and we now have the house. The neighbours keep saying to our children not to sit on the wall in case it falls etc (theyve only built it one thick). They constantly say about the wall could fall, the wall (they say) isn't that safe.

We now want to fix wooden trellis on top of the wall (with bolts), to stop our dog escaping from the garden, but my neighbour is now saying that we can't because it's unsafe.

Help!!! What do we do?

Answer 1

Contact your local "Building Control Officer". An inspection of the wall will confirm if it is correctly constructed and if not will assest in having an enforcement notice served on those resonsible.

Next, contact your family solisitor with a view to inspecting the deeds of the property as it would appear that the supports are intruding upon your property without concent. He/she will advise as to what action is required.

Finally, given that the owner of the wall has indecated that there is a propblem, I would suggest you ask your insurance company where you stand on this matter if no action is taken.

Answer 2

if its their wall its their responsibility and if unsafe they should rectify the problem .if it falls on you of your family sue them  then put a new fence up with the damages you will of won :)

Answer 3

Use 1.8 metre 75mm x 75mm posts set in postcrete on your side of the wall. Fix the trellis in between the posts. This will not affect the wall, other than to support it if it moves in your direction. You should fix first post let the postcrete set (very fast) fix the trellis panel, fix the next post to the trellis, then concrete and so on. Use a spirit level to have nice straight posts.

Answer 4

s***w some planks of wood horizontally bridging the posts on your side and fix the trellis to that.  

Answer 5

http://www.soomro.ca  

Answer 6

I would buy big rectangles of sturdy plastic lattice that will last, will not need painting (They make white, grey and dark green), and you can just prop it up against your side of the wall with some potted plants.  If you need to make it stronger you can attach it to some weatherproof poles, attached to the lattice on your side.

If they don't like it, tough.  It'll be pretty.  I wouldn't recommend constructing anything on top of the wall, just one millimeter on your side of the property line.  You could attach it to the wall with dabs of glue or concrete screws.  But just to see how they'll react, prop it up first.  If it's not tall enough to keep the dog in, you can build a base out of wood to hold the lattice up higher, like with L's of boards you can weight down.  .

Answer 7

Sorry - I don't know where you are, so am unable to provide a definitive answer.  

Laws are based on common sense.  If this wall is as unstable as the neighbour is claiming, it will be subject to high winds  or traffic vibration and may present a hazard to you, your children and pets - and of course, your neighbours themselves.  As such, you could approach them and discuss this danger, associated liability costs and the strain that would then place on your relationship.

I assume the wall is less than 6 feet tall and merely provides a boundary marker.  To my knowledge, there is nothing to stop you from building a higher wall within your own garden to contain your dog.  I don't think your neighbour can tell you what to grow or fix to the wall itself, providing it is on your own side of the wall and has no overhang (in which case they could legally prune say an apple tree or something.)

Neighbourhood disputes are difficult to resolve when each party thinks they are right.  This may require arbitration - contact your local authority to help you locate such resources (if they exist where you are).

It may be possible to find a compromise that you and your neighbour are happy with.

Answer 8

Boundary disputes of the kind which you describe are common and difficult to deal with.

Here's one solution.

Put up a fence on your side of the wall, .5 inches away from their wall.  Then put a trellis on top of 'YOUR fence'.

Yes, I know this is expensive, but it solves your problem and your neighbour can do d**n all about it.  It's your fence on your land.

P.S. dividing fences are controlled by height - find out about this first from your council if need be.  You can grow a hedge as high as you like.  I've got 30 foot high fur trees blocking the school looking into my garden at the back, thank God.

Answer 9

If it is unsafe then it should be removed or both of you will be liable for damages.