Latest news with #handyman
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Are we allowed an 8ft fence for privacy? Our neighbour says we've broken planning rules
Last month, my wife and I decided to replace the fences on either side of our garden. We've wanted to do it for ages to make the garden more private. Given the original fences were only 4ft, we always felt very overlooked when either of our neighbours were in their garden. Plus the children of one family are always bouncing on a trampoline, which feels even more intrusive. We asked both our neighbours if they were interested in contributing towards a bigger fence but both said they were not bothered. We mentioned that we might go ahead with it anyway and they seemed relaxed about it. We decided to buy 8ft fence panels that we found advertised online to give us maximum privacy and had our local handyman install them, which saved money. Now one of our neighbours is complaining that not only have we removed their fence, which we apparently had no right to do, but that our new fence is so high we should have got planning permission. They said that if we don't reinstall the old fence they are going to report us to the council. What should we do? And is there any legal protection under our right to privacy? Also, is there a way to find out if the fence boundary belongs to us and would that give us any protection? Let's double it: Our reader felt a four foot fence was an insufficient privacy screen, so they replaced it with an eight foot fence without getting planning permission Ed Magnus, of This is Money, replies: When it comes to neighbours winding each other up, garden fences are a common cause. In the past, we have had questions about a neighbour stealing someone's garden and a dog jumping up at a fence so relentlessly that it was in danger of knocking it down. The height of a fence may seem an issue that wouldn't cause dispute, but I fear you may have acted a little too hastily in opting for these eight foot fence panels. A quick search online would have revealed that anything above two metres (6.5 feet) typically requires planning permission, so your neighbour is probably right. Trying to find a fair and reasonable solution with your neighbour should always be the first course of action. But not everyone likes being fair and reasonable – particularly when it is a matter concerning their home. For expert advice we spoke to Olivia Egdell-Page, a partner and head of the property department at Joseph A Jones & Co solicitors, Mike Hansom, a consultant for property litigation at BLB Solicitors, and Chun Wong, head of dispute resolution at Hodge Jones & Allen. Will you need to replace the fence? Olivia Egdell-Page replies: It is clear that you did attempt to seek agreement here, however, it may be that the neighbours' objections are now based on the height of the new boundary fence, rather than the act of replacement. In terms of the boundary structures, planning permission is not required if you erect a new fence or replace an existing fence where the height does not exceed two metres. If you are replacing a fence which exceeds two metres in height, you can replace this on a like for like basis, provided the height would not be increase. On that basis, it does seem that planning permission should be obtained, as the height of the fence has been increased from four to eight feet. Alternatively, you may consider reducing the height of the fence to the maximum height of two metres, however consideration must be given to the planning regime in the area and if there are any additional controls imposed on the property, for example if the property is listed or located within a conservation area. Mike Hansom adds: The general rule - unless you live in a conservation area or a listed building - is that a fence can be a maximum height of one metre if it faces a road or two metres otherwise. Therefore, an eight foot (2.44 metre) fence requires planning permission. To comply with the law you should probably install panels no taller than two metres. If you did not do this, the local authority - but probably not your neighbour - has the power to enforce planning law. What if the neighbour proves it was their fence? Mike Hansom replies: If your neighbours can prove that the original fence belonged to them, then whether you need to restore it to its original condition depends on precisely what was agreed. If your neighbours expressly consented to your removal of the fence on the condition that you would cover the cost of its replacement, they cannot renege on that agreement, although they can still take issue with its height via the council. If they were merely silent, you may need to replace the fence, as silence cannot, in law, be construed as consent. In that case you could erect a new six foot fence on your side of the existing fence. If you explain this to your neighbour, they may have a change of heart, as their view over your garden would be reduced in any event. Do they have any rights of privacy? Chun Wong replies: There is no absolute law which provides for a right to privacy in a garden especially against private individuals. However, if something your neighbours are doing causing a nuisance this could give rise to a claim for statutory nuisance. A starting point to remember though is that a fence is not necessary indicative or definitive of actual legal boundaries between properties. A fence is just a physical boundary on the ground. A legal boundary is an imaginary or invisible line which divides one's land from another's. What's the best thing to do about a fence dispute? Chun Wong replies: Where possible it is always best to try and resolve any issues you have with your neighbour amicably. You have to see them day in and day out so it is best to keep relations civil. In addition, if a dispute is escalated you may have to disclose this to any potential buyer if you are considering a sale in the near future. You could also consider a more structured and formal alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. The Property Litigation Association and Rics have launched a new mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action - the Boundary Disputes Mediation Service In the event that you really cannot resolve the matter, then proper legal advice should be sought at an early stage before you embark on any self-help which could make matters worse or prejudice your position. You should check whether you have the benefit of Legal Expense Insurance as part of your home, contents, or motor insurance which may provide some indemnity for legal costs in these types of cases. You could consider a hedge... Mike Hansom replies: It is common for deeds to be unclear about who owns the fence. If it cannot be demonstrated one way or the other, the legal position is the new fence panels belong to you. You are entitled to inform the neighbour they are not to remove or damage your panels, as to do so could amount to criminal damage. Although not an instant solution, another option is to plant a hedge next to the fence, if space permits. Again you must check for the existence of planning conditions or restrictive covenants in your deeds, but in general there is no planning restriction on the maximum height of a hedge. The exception is the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, sometimes known as the 'High Hedges Act' which legislates against hedges comprising two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs over 2 metres in height. A hedge of native deciduous planting would not fall foul of the legislation, can grow quickly and would soon provide added privacy, as well as a habitat for wildlife. What punishment could they face if they refuse to lower the fence? Mike Hansom adds: The amount of the fine depends what part of the enforcement process has been breached, and how severe is the breach. However many breaches, including non-compliance with a planning enforcement notice, give rise to criminal liability and an unlimited fine. Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have risen substantially over recent years, meaning that those remortgaging or buying a home face higher costs. That makes it even more important to search out the best possible rate for you and get good mortgage advice, whether you are a first-time buyer, home owner or buy-to-let landlord. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you To help our readers find the best mortgage, This is Money has partnered with the UK's leading fee-free broker L&C. This is Money and L&C's mortgage calculator can let you compare deals to see which ones suit your home's value and level of deposit. You can compare fixed rate lengths, from two-year fixes, to five-year fixes and ten-year fixes. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use This is Money and L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm confused by frisky widow twice my age – the sex is great but could a relationship work?
DEAR DEIDRE: ONE of my painting and decorating customers has made it clear that she wants more than my handyman skills. I'm a single man aged 24 and this is a sticky situation. A few months ago, I was asked to go round and quote for painting a huge, five-bedroom house. I expected to meet a family, but it was just a middle-aged woman living alone. Over coffee, she told me her husband had died a few years ago. She is 47 but has a great body, which was easy to see through her skin-tight gym gear. I accepted the job and got started. She was at home every day and kindly bringing me tea and biscuits every few hours. Then her flirting began to ramp up. One day my radio was playing a Spice Girls song, and she came into the room and started doing a provocative dance. I nearly fell off my ladder. That night as I was leaving, she opened a bottle of wine and asked me to share it. Over a glass, she told me she had been lonely in the house by herself, and enjoyed my company. Dear Deidre After Dark- Understanding open relationships As she said this, she put her hand on my leg, making her intentions very clear. We ended up on my dust sheet, having fast, passionate sex. She was exciting and adventurous and taught me more than a few new moves. I was back the following week finishing the house, and she clearly wanted a replay. But I'm unsure what to do. I really like her — she's just my type, sexy and passionate, and seems genuinely kind. But there's a 23-year age gap, Could this relationship work, or is she just using me to fix her loneliness? DEIDRE SAYS: Relationships with an age gap can work out well, as long as you want the same things and share a similar outlook. There is no reason why an older woman and a younger man couldn't enjoy a fun, passionate fling. But difficulties could arise later down the line, if you decided you wanted a family. Women over 45 can have children, but it can be more difficult and has a higher risk of complications. I suggest you read my support pack Age-Gap Concerns. It will give you more information on the possible problems you might face together. The sensible thing to do would be to discuss all of this with her – over a cuppa, not a Cabernet – and find out what she's looking for. And then be honest (with yourself, and her) about whether that is going to work for you. TERRIFIED BY MY ADDICT SON'S RAGES DEAR DEIDRE: I AM frightened of my teenage son. His drug addiction makes him have wild, violent rages and an explosive temper. He has wrecked his bedroom several times, kicked over my TV and even smashed the windscreen of my car. He's 19. I don't blame him. I think it's my fault he turned out this way. His father and I met when I was just 18. I got pregnant quickly. Although I tried to make a go of things as a family, my ex was rough and had a bad temper so I eventually fled with my son. From then on, I gave my son everything I could, and stopped dating to focus on him. When he was 14, he made some bad friends at school and began taking drugs. He's been addicted ever since. When he's not using, he loses control of his temper. He shouts and swears at me. He has even threatened my old, unwell mum. It's all so loud that I'm terrified the neighbours must hear what's going on. In these rages, he screams at me that I messed up his life by leaving his father. When he's calm, he's the most kind, loving person you will ever meet. But his rages are frightening. How do I deal with the awful situation I put him in? DEIDRE SAYS: None of this is your fault. Your ex was a violent, dangerous man – you had no choice but to leave. Since then, you have given your son everything you could, even putting your romantic life on hold so you could concentrate on raising him. His drug problem is also not your fault. It is likely the drugs have contributed to his violent rages, but you can't let this situation continue. First things first. You are in danger. The next time your son threatens you or you feel scared by his anger, call the police. Also, look for ongoing support and advice to help you turn this situation around before you or your son do something that can't be fixed. I would urge you to contact Pegs ( It offers free support to any parent or carer suffering from abuse from a child, whether that is physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. You might also find it helpful to contact Adfam, a charity set up to help families who are affected by drug abuse ( You can also get advice on your son's drug use from your GP. SEX-HELP CLINIC DEAR DEIDRE: I HAVE only just turned 30, I'm pretty and I keep myself in shape, so why does my husband never want to have sex with me? He's 37 and we have been together for five years. We were in a long-distance relationship to begin with, so when we saw each other every weekend, sparks flew and we would make love for hours at a time. Throughout the week we would exchange flirty messages, teasing each other with descriptions of what we would do on our next date together. A year later, I got pregnant with our son and the excuses started. He didn't feel comfortable getting passionate while I was pregnant, then the baby was in our room, then he was tired. He even made an excuse on our wedding night. Since then, we have had sex about once every two months. When I talk to him about how I feel, he promises to change. But he never does. I have convinced myself he is gay because I don't know why else he wouldn't want to sleep with me. I asked him, but he strongly denied it. He says he still fancies me and loves me very much, but I need that intimacy. I can't go through life in a sexless marriage. I'm at breaking point. DEIDRE SAYS: It's all very well for him to say he fancies you and loves you, but his words don't match his actions. Talk to him once more – tell him you're worried and want to regain the closeness you had at the beginning. Explain you feel sad that you're both missing out on a lot of fun. If you express it lovingly – being clear how much you care about him, how sexy you find him, and how much you'd love to express your feelings in bed – he will hopefully open up about any worries or issues that might be curbing his libido. He might be stressed about work, have financial worries or be battling depression. You deserve a good sex life, and he knows this, but he also needs to know you've had enough. Please read my support pack Reviving A Man's Sex Drive to give you more ideas and techniques. CAN'T GIVE UP THE BOOZE DEAR DEIDRE: ALCOHOL made me lose sight of what's important in life. Now I'm desperate to quit but I keep failing. I'm 22. I started drinking six years ago when I kept having fights with my dad. I left home at 18 and my stress reduced, but I didn't manage to cut down on the drinking. My friends are getting on with their lives – going to college and starting interesting jobs – but I am just wasting my days away getting drunk. I look and feel older than I should, and I have lost all my self-esteem. Please tell me how to become a better version of myself. Instead of pursuing their dreams and ambitions, they pursue the numbness of being drunk. It's good that you've realised this at 22. There's still lots of time to turn your life around. Talk to your GP as they might be able to refer you to nearby support. You can also find help on the NHS website, at GRANDSON FEARS DEAR DEIDRE: MY grandson needs to go to a school for autistic children because I fear he will struggle in mainstream education. He's nearly five, but still non-verbal. He can't dress himself as yet or tell when he needs the toilet. My daughter has applied for his Reception year school place. There's a space on the form where we can give our reasons why he should be sent to a school for autistic children, but we need guidance on what to write. Are there any support groups that might be able to help us with this? DEIDRE SAYS: I do understand your concerns. Luckily, there is a lot of support available. Special Needs Jungle ( has resources to help parents navigate the SEND system, including a whole section on school applications. You can also find a lot of information about school applications through And check out the education section of the Child Law Advice website (
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I was on Race Across The World and when I got home I turned my whole life upside down - here's why
A contestant on Race Across The World has revealed how when they got home, they turned their whole life upside down. The BBC adventure show sees five pairs go head to head in a 14,000 kilometers race across China, Nepal and India for a huge cash prize. In the most recent series, sisters, Elizabeth and Letitia; former married couple, Yin and Gaz, brothers, Brian and Melvyn; teenage couple, Fin and Sioned and mother and son, Caroline and Tom are trying to bag the £20,000. The end of the race is yet to air but one contestant, 21-year-old Tom, has shared what he's been up to since being on the show. He told Metro how he had previously worked as a labourer but had gone on to try a new venture. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I never really stepped out my comfort zone, I was happy lifting heavy things and just doing repetitive stuff because it paid me and it was good but since I've come back, I've branched out, and I'm trying to start my own little handyman business helping people around the village,' he revealed. Tom admitted that though he's 'messed up a couple of times' he's managed to fix it and feels the new role is 'pushing' him. He shared before Race Across The World he was 'always a bit scared of trying something new'. But the experience on the show has taught him a lot, 'I think a lot of time on Race it didn't go our way, but then we learned from it, or we found another way around it,' he explained. Tom participated in the programme with his mother, Caroline, and during their travels the pair found themselves stuck in Beijing's train station for quite some time. After being told there were no tickets left for that day, Tom grumbled, 'We haven't made it out of Beijing in 24 hours now. We'll have to come up with a plan.' Caroline managed to secure the pair tickets for the next morning and they stayed in a hostel overnight. Driving instructor Melvyn was pulling a small case behind him which many felt could cause difficulties during their long journey Tom participated in the programme with his mother, Caroline, and during their travels the pair found themselves stuck in Beijing's train station for quite some time Some viewers took to social media to comment on the situation and said: 'Pleasure to share episode one with you all. And remember, if you ever think you're having a bad day, at least you're not Tom and Caroline who managed to spend 24 hours in a train station during a race.' 'Tom and Caroline stranded at the train station with all trains sold out.' 'When was this filmed? Are Caroline and Tom still in Beijing?' 'Tom and his mum are probably on the North bound train back to Beijing.' 'I was really rooting for the mother & son, but they haven't even made it out of Beijing in more than 24 hours.'
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
This game-changing gift lets you frame memories with a tap - and it'll arrive in time for Father's Day
'A little to the left! No, sorry, a little to the right. Hmm... actually, can we move it over here?' Every husband (and dad!) knows this song and dance when it comes to hanging just about anything. With no way of knowing how it will look, we understand the struggle! And luckily, so does Frameology. Frameology Ready to rock Father's Day 2025? Frameology is a one-stop shop for everything framing, from selecting sizing to printing and beyond. They have one-of-a-kind frames for every style, including plain black, wooden, and white. Using the brand's augmented reality tech, you can visualize any frame in your home instantly! Explore how to turn memories into art ASAP ahead of June 15. Prices Vary Shop Frameology is the brand changing the home decor game with affordable framing that actually allows you to see the finished look before even clicking add to cart. Using innovative augmented reality technology, dad will no longer have to waste time helping you find the 'perfect spot' — instead you can be one hundred percent certain from the get go! This Father's Day, do not just settle for basic gift ideas. Instead, opt for something out of the box! With Frameology at your disposal this year, you can not only print lasting memories with a few clicks, but you can also guarantee they will look seamless on the walls. The augmented reality feature gives your dad the much-needed handyman break he deserves while also easing his mind. All it takes is scanning the QR code inside each individual listing, and you will be instantly transported into a real-time projection of whatever room you are in! Shoppers have glowing things to say about the frame brand, with over 5,000 5-star reviews. One shopper said: 'It was a very quick and easy process ordering my framed picture. The quality was great, as well as, the price, and I received it in excellent condition in 7 business days. I will definitely order again!' Metal Table Frame Ready to make Dad's day?! This 'manly' metal frame is the perfect Father's Day gift idea. You can frame a family photo for Dad for him to take to work, leave by his bedside table, and beyond. This frame comes in multiple metal finishes, including silver and gold. Shop either a 5x7 or 8x20 size for the perfect tabletop accessory. Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now. From $39 Shop Hardwood Table Frame Father's Day is right around the corner and what better way to say 'I love you dad' than with a forever memory? This wooden frame is a classic but a goody. It has a rounded shaped and you can shop it in various sizes to suit your needs, including 5x7 and 8x10. Perfect for dads looking to add a family photo to their work desk! Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now. From $49 Shop Classic Wall Frame Keep it classic! It is no secret that most lean towards basic framing and this one is a Frameology best-seller. The classic black is sleek and looks good no matter what aesthetic you have! Shop it in 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20. Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now! From $49 Shop Classic Table Frame Looking for the classic look but for a table instead? This best-seller is a great addition to any bedside table, coffee table, or bookshelf! It comes in just a few sizes, including 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10. Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now! From $34 Shop Pearl Frame If you are looking for something chic to add into your home — this frame is it. The delicate pearl exterior is both gorgeous and classy with a light reflecting finish. You can several framing sizes from 4x6 to 8x10. Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now. From $99 Shop Luxe Wall Wide Frame If your dad loves history we think this frame may be for him. Whether you dad is a history buff or just has a taste for a little regal touch, this golden frame is a great fit! It comes in a plethora of sizes ranging from 8x8 to 30x40. Use the Frameology AR technology online to experience how this piece will look in your home now! From $89 Shop
