Getting a neighbour to replace a fence.

[Baby Huey]

Theres a short section of low fencing at the front of our house that is getting pretty past it, slats are falling off, the wood is rotten and bowing out of shape. Plus there is ivy covering some of the fence that I'd like to get rid of but I think it probably holds up the fence.

It's owned by my neighbour and ideally he will do something about but he isn't getting round to it. We get on OK but have never really had to ask him to do anything so not sure how he'll react. I've not mentioned anything about the fence yet.

So, how do I handle it? I wouldn't mind contributing to some of the cost if it means I get a decent fence. Would it be reasonable to offer to go halves?

Or do I tell him to sort out his fence?

[ShadownINja]

Ask, not tell. I'd like to think he'd want to be a good neighbour and was just being occupied with other things so take it from there. Isn't it his legal duty if it's his fence?

[GreenV8S]

Baby Huey said:

So, how do I handle it?

Talk to him. Get him to agree that it needs repairing/replacing, let him know that you believe its his responsibility to do it, let him know that you're keen for him to do it within a reasonable timescale and happy to give him access and cooperation to do it. He might not have noticed, he might be wondering why you haven't already fixed *your* fence, or maybe he just needs a nudge.

If he still doesn't seem willing to do it you want to give him even more encouragement then you could let him know that you're willing to help with the work, or costs, if you are. But you've no obligation to do that - if its his fence then legally, it's his responsibility to keep it in good order.

[Baby Huey]

No idea about the legal side. I'd be diplomatic when the conversation came up.

[Baby Huey]

GreenV8S said:

Baby Huey said:

So, how do I handle it?

Talk to him. Get him to agree that it needs repairing/replacing, let him know that you believe its his responsibility to do it, let him know that you're keen for him to do it within a reasonable timescale and happy to give him access and cooperation to do it. He might not have noticed, he might be wondering why you haven't already fixed *your* fence, or maybe he just needs a nudge.

If he still doesn't seem willing to do it you want to give him even more encouragement then you could let him know that you're willing to help with the work, or costs, if you are. But you've no obligation to do that - if its his fence then legally, it's his responsibility to keep it in good order.

I wouldn't mind paying in part and doing it jointly means he wouldn't be able to lash up something cheap and nasty.

[robinhood21]

HTH.

[Baby Huey]

Good idea! Just not at this stage.

[Vespula]

Neighbours are mental, twice I've had this problem and both times I've ended up paying for it all! And these were 'nice' middle class people who were not short of a couple of quid.

Even with me paying they were less than chuffed. Go figure.

[King Herald]

Baby Huey said:

Theres a short section of low fencing at the front of our house that is getting pretty past it, slats are falling off, the wood is rotten and bowing out of shape. Plus there is ivy covering some of the fence that I'd like to get rid of but I think it probably holds up the fence.

It's owned by my neighbour and ideally he will do something about but he isn't getting round to it. We get on OK but have never really had to ask him to do anything so not sure how he'll react. I've not mentioned anything about the fence yet.

So, how do I handle it? I wouldn't mind contributing to some of the cost if it means I get a decent fence. Would it be reasonable to offer to go halves?

Or do I tell him to sort out his fence?

Whilst talking about the weather, barbeques, poontang, whatever; "Is that fence out the front yours or mine? It needs an overhaul, but I'm not really sure who it belongs to."

Then take it from there.

[raf_gti]

How do you know who a fence belongs to?

At the back of our house there is a 6ft fence running down either side, surely one person can't have sole ownership?

[netherfield]

raf_gti said:

How do you know who a fence belongs to?

At the back of our house there is a 6ft fence running down either side, surely one person can't have sole ownership?

Yes they can,it's usually in the deeds to the property who owns which fence/wall.

Trouble is these days most people don't see or have copies to their deeds which are now held digitally by the Land Registry.

If you have a copy look to see if there is a 'T'on it,s side by the fence/wall,whichever side the 'T' is on is responsible for ownership and maintenance.

It can be either a curse or a blessing,we have over 300 feet of dry stone wall sorrounding our house and have the dubious pleasue of maintaining it all.

[Soovy]

Baby Huey said:

Theres a short section of low fencing at the front of our house that is getting pretty past it, slats are falling off, the wood is rotten and bowing out of shape. Plus there is ivy covering some of the fence that I'd like to get rid of but I think it probably holds up the fence.

It's owned by my neighbour and ideally he will do something about but he isn't getting round to it. We get on OK but have never really had to ask him to do anything so not sure how he'll react. I've not mentioned anything about the fence yet.

So, how do I handle it? I wouldn't mind contributing to some of the cost if it means I get a decent fence. Would it be reasonable to offer to go halves?

Or do I tell him to sort out his fence?

Ask him if he'd mind if you sorted it at your cost.

Less hassle and will maintain relations.


It's not worth having to declare a neighbor dispute over #100 worth of fence.

[pikey]

Soovy said:

It's not worth having to declare a neighbor dispute over #100 worth of fence.

Fences can be much more than that. I recently replaced 10 meters of fence and it cost £550. That was replacing a rotten, half height fence wooden fence with a 2m high thing with concrete posts.

Funny thing was it belonged to the neighbour, but 4 years of asking / hinting didn't do it so when I cut down some trees and lost some privacy I just did it.