Fencing to enclose courtyard?

last month

I'm looking to take out a long term lease on an un-used garden from my body corp and turn it into a courtyard for my apartment. I want to build a fence to enclose the area however pulling down the current brick border (in attached pic) will mean I need to get a building permit to pull it down and build a new, better fence (extra $$ and a longer process

overall). What I recently thought was to build a wooden fence on top of the bricked layers (the fence must be no taller than 1.5 metres per council rules)... I think it would blend in with other properties on my street as they all have either brick or wood fencing.

Could this combo look ok? Or is it worth throwing $$$ at it and just ripping out the bricks and starting from scratch? I was thinking of also putting plants/ hedges behind the fence to create more privacy.

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Comments (13)

dreamer
last month
Either a vertical or horizontal slat fence would suit your needs.
bigreader
last month
Have you thought through all the implications? By the time you allow for the fencing and the space around the letterboxes the space isn’t that large. How will you access the courtyard? What if the neighbours change and the incoming ones are horrible? How will you keep people out because it will look like a common area? It won’t be very private being close to the road and being over looked. It may be cheaper to not do a lease or a fence. Plant a hedge and add some landscaping. Yes, others may use it but it would be cheaper than the lease and fence.
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Shaun
Original Author
last month
Good questions you raise! It is only a small space, yes, but I think it will be sufficient given there is currently no balcony/ outdoor area for my apartment currently and it would also add value to my place. I measured the perimeter of the brick border (also taking into account the letterboxes that will need to remain)- i'll have approx 3m x 7.7m space. My intention is to turn one of the windows into a doorway (both in the image are mine) leading out to the courtyard that I want to fence off exclusively for my own use (i'll obviously need to get body corp approval and legals drawn up).
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bigreader
last month
Ok. I see your reasoning. I would start the window to door process before committing to the front area lease etc. The body corp approval process is long and you’re also going to most likely need Council and engineering involved also. Given that you’ll need Council involvement anyway, while you’re dealing with them consider getting approval for a higher fence.
siriuskey
last month
It would certainly improve your ground floor unit at least giving it more privacy.

You need to make it worthwhile for the body corporate by adding a fence that enhances the look of the block of x 6 units. I would consider using laser cut steel panels and making a locking gate panel on the side this to be built using the existing brick footings.

But first of all will they allow you to change one of the front windows to a door to access this leased space. if not it won't be worthwhile, as you don't want others using this space.
Shaun
Original Author
last month
Yes, id want the fence to improve the overall building‘s curb appeal and balance it with giving me more privacy. Are laser cut steel panels expensive though compared to timber?

id only progress with things if the body corp accepts my cash offer and lets me turn the window into a door and put up a fence
siriuskey
last month
Google laser cut panels, even check out Bunnings.
Julie Herbert
last month
It would certainly be great to utilise that area, if permission granted to go ahead adding a taller fence would certainly give you a great little courtyard, hopefully cutting through the red tape and permits lets you realise your dream.
bigreader
last month
Good luck, come back and let us know how you go with the Body Corp approvals.
Kate
last month
I would be extremely surprised if council would permit it. Firstly a fence over 1m would need to be set back from driveway to allow sightline to footpath. Once other unit owners get wind they will consider the front landscape strip worth upgrading to improve look of building.
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Shaun
Original Author
last month
Hi Kate, in my block, my apartment is that whole front bit that you see in the picture (so wveryone is on top or behind me). all the other apartment blocks along my street all have the front gardens fenced off so currently mine looks odd being all barren and open
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siriuskey
last month
take photos of other examples in your street and area to show to the BC and council, if a precedence has been set you should be OK, good luck
oklouise
last month
last modified: last month
does the front yard have letter boxes, water or electricity meters as they will still still need access for meter readers and defeat the purpose of the proposed private courtyard and opening doors from inside would compromise your security and allow for more street noise ....is your proposal so that you can sit outside or to create more privacy for your unit as a 1.5m fence will not screen all your windows, stop views from upstairs units or tall pedestrians.. what is the height of the inside and outside floors as that will involve steps for a doorway, what is the existing ground cover (grass, garden or concrete?) and who looks after the space now? i have to say that adding an accessible courtyard is a lot of hassle and major expense when money could be better spent on a basic timber fence and gardens to improve your comfort and property value
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