Another fence question!!

annaangeluk_2

I own a terraced house with a small garden at the front.

During the winter storms, the fencing to the left (as you look out of the front door) of the garden got blown down. I spent a lot of time maintaining my side of the fence but next door (private landlord) obviously hadn't as the wood on that side was completly rotten.

He sent me a letter a while ago suggesting that we both pay half to replace the fence. As a single parent this is impossible for me so i wrote back and asked if he would consider paying for it but I would again maintain my half. I've since had no response.

This is really getting me down as I'm constantly having to tell my 5 year old daughter that she can't play in the garden because she can step over the broken fence and out of next door's gate onto the road.

I've spoken to a few people and they all seem to think that in these kind of houses you own / are responsible for the right hand side fences. If this is the case then I would like to be able to tell him that!!

Grateful for any advice

Anna

greyteam1959

You will have to look at the deeds of your property to asertain who owns / is responsible for which bit of fence / or boundary.
However I think he has been fair to ask you to pay half.
Ask him in writing what half will be £25 or £250 ????
It sounds to me that it would be in your own interest the have the fence repaired tho

cattie

There is no set formulae or rule for houses owning a particular side of a garden fence.

As mervyn mentions, the deeds to your property will indicate which side is your responsibility. Some houses do have fences that are the shared responsibilty of both adjoining neighbours.

You need to be aware that even if the fence does turn out to be his responsibility you can do nothing to force him to repair or replace the fence if he doesn't want to, so try to approach him in a reasonable manner in case he decides to turn nasty leave the fence as it is.

annaangeluk_2

Both good points!

i think the best solution would be to send my evil, noisy five year old over to play in next door's garden until the tenents get so fed up with her they demand that the landlord fix it! :rotfl: :rotfl:

Seriously though, I might get some quotes myself so at least I've an idea what I'm looking at. It is only two fence panels after all!

Thanks again