Garden Fence

Taye

I have garden fences down both sides of my house, as far as im aware the left fence is the one i am responsible for (according to all my Doc's) and i paid about £1000 to replace this last summer as it was starting to look alittle tatty and the posts where no longer stable (it was only a matter of time before the fell over and i didn't want them going though the neighbours greenhouse eeek).

However even when i did it it was the right hand fence that was really in DIRE need of repair, there are huge holes in it, and i seem to spend hald my life trying to tack timber or netting on it it to try and prevent my dog from escaping into next door.

The first time she got out because of the state of the fence was about 3 years ago, i went over to see the neighbour (a very quiet withdrawn gentleman) and appologised, he was really nice about it and said that he'd get the fence replaced as soon as he could afford it. I asked if he minded me tacking some wire netting to it just to keep the dog in my side for the time bieng and he said it was fine.

roll on 2 years to last summer ... by now the fence is in a terrible state and is more netting than wood, and im reaching a point where it's becoming impossible to keep repairing because the wood is so rotten.

Making keeping my dog to my side of the fence almost impossible without keeping her indoors, something i really don't like having to do we bought the house because it had a nice big garden for her to play in.

Anyway last summer when i was replacing the fence i was responsible for i knocked at his house and told him what i was doing and suggested perhaps we could get his side done at the same time, offering to pay for half even though it's not my responsibilty.

His side would have been a much cheaper job as it doens't need the posts or bases just the panels and i was quoted £200 by the fence people just for the panels.

He explained that he'd think about it but never got back to me, i didn't want to push it because i knew that even £100 is alot of money to some people and i didn't really want to appear rude.

However another 12 months has gone by we are now compleatly missing 2 entire panels as they where blown out by the wind and shattered into millions of peices that are now spread accross my garden and the other panals are really in a awful state a couple of them being held up by plants more than anything.

I'm getting quite desprate these panels need replacing and tbh im getting to the point where im even willing to pay for it all myself just to get it done.

He's just bought a brand new car so he can't be struggling that badly, he's a lone man and appears to be reasonably comfortable finanically, where as i'm struggling big time and have just been made redundant so buying fence panels isn't something i can afford right now.

Tbh though if we bought the panel's ourselves because it is such a simple job to slip them into the posts between the 2 of us we could do it for a fraction of the cost the fence people quoted the panels are just £15 each at B&Q (don't need to me fancy) thing is i really can't do it alone he would have to help and i think the prospect would terrify him.

What do you think i should do??

I really don't want to keep my kids and dog trapped indoors because they can't play in the back garden...it's his responsibilty and i really feel that the fence needs fixing and he just doens't seem to be bothered. He seems like a nice man (painfully shy) but pleasant enough..but i don't want cause a uncomfortable situation for him or me for that matter.

markie1980

It's an akwurd position to be in as i don't think he has a legal obligation to replace a fence.
Maybe a note through his letter box, which he would hopefully reply to in a similar way and he maybe more talkative on paper!
If that fails, you could try the approach that it's dangerous for your kids/pets to have an unsafe fence landing in your garden, which he probably does have a legal obligation to sort out.

I think you are being more than reasonable.

Becles

He's got no legal responsibility to have a fence there at all, and you can't force him to pay for a fence.

If he won't pay for it, you will need to pay for it if you want your children and dog to be contained in your garden.

Sorry it's not good news.

timnicebutdim_2

Tbh I think i'd just do it myself as he doesn't sound interested. As you say the panels arn't that expensive and i think they can be delivered. Could you get a mate to lend you a hand?

rca779

Just let your dog run loose in his garden, he'll soon get the message!

ic

If it were me I'd just pay for the fence - you're the one that wants it and will benefit from it.

phead

ic wrote: »

If it were me I'd just pay for the fence - you're the one that wants it and will benefit from it.

Sounds about right, the only other thing the OP can check is if there is anything in the title deeds that householders are responsible for maintaining a boundry, it is quite a common clause these days.

ic

phead wrote: »

Sounds about right, the only other thing the OP can check is if there is anything in the title deeds that householders are responsible for maintaining a boundry, it is quite a common clause these days.

And if there is? Take the old man next door to court and force him? Or just threaten him with legal action and hope he doesn't die from shock and actually does it out of his big state pension?

ronald208

In a previous house the wooden fence dividing my garden from next door fell down. I was not all that bothered about a fence but my next door neighbour went mental and told me I must have a fence as the old fence was on my side of the boundary and it was my fence that fell down.

So I removed all the old wooden fence and replaced it with a brand new fence.

The new fence was made from 4 strands of wire.

He went mental at that and went to a solicitor. The solicitor told him tough, if he wanted a wooden fence he would have to put one up himself on his side of the boundary and at his cost. So now there is a six foot panel fence on his side of the boundary and when I move out I made sure I told the new people who was responsible for the fence. The old wire fence is still there.

Ron

Bronnie

ic wrote: »

And if there is? Take the old man next door to court and force him? Or just threaten him with legal action and hope he doesn't die from shock and actually does it out of his big state pension?

Actually, in fairness, I don't think the OP said the neighbour was an old frail pensioner surviving on a state pension. I think OP is trying to resolve the issue with great sensitivity.

I've just replaced the worst 4 panels in my fence at my own expense. I mentioned to my elderly neighbour that I was planning to do this. I shunted the best of the old panels down to the bottom of the garden and put the newer ones next to the house. It was definitely a 2 man job, but quite manageable for me and OH. As you say the panels are about £15, if you buy from a smaller nearby company they might deliver for free. Hopefully will replace the rest next year.
After we put them up the elderly neighbour insisted on paying his half and said he was relieved to have them replaced. Sometimes, people have no concept as to how much jobs like this will cost and might worry about the cost. Indeed as you have said, fencing can cost thousands, depending on the scale.

I would go ahead and do what you can afford to make the garden more secure and try and bodge the rest for now. I would write a clear friendly note to your neighbour explaining that you are prepared to organise the work, the panels cost £xx and if he would consider contributing half you would be most appreciative. If he doesn't respond I would just get on with it yourself. . You do want to start enjoying your garden this summer.

If you have access to a van for transport, a fair number of people do advertise used fence panels on Freecycle or post a Wanted, esp this time of year. They may not be wonderful, but better than what you've got and last you for a couple more years and they'd be free!

27col

I have been waiting for about 18months for my neighbour to replace a broken fence panel. I was just about to do it myself when he said that he is going to replace 3 panels. I will give him a hand to do it. It just as much for my benefit as for his. There is no way that you can force your neighbour to repair the fence. As has been said, if you insist on a fence then you will have to do it yourself. He may well then contribute to the cost.