Neighbour still hasn't replaced fence panels after recent storms

HurdyGurdy

The fence between us and next door (their fence) lost two panels in the recent storms. He says (and I have no reason not to believe him) that he has been unable to get any replacement panels yet.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem, BUT . . . we have adopted a dog from a local rescue centre and are keen to bring her home. But without a secure garden, the rescue centre won't release her to us.

It seems so unfair to leave the poor dog cooped up in kennels when there is a brilliant home waiting her for her, but on the other hand, if fence panels are still at a premium, then obviously the neighbour can't replace them.

He doesn't want to make temporary repairs (wire fencing, for example) but wants to wait until he can get the fence all done in one hit.

I don't want to be awkward, but what would you suggest we do here? Should we just erect some temporary wire fencing ourselves and hope that the dog doesn't get through? I don't know if the rescue centre would allow her home with us with just a temporary fence securing the garden (although they may be ok with it just to make more space in their centre, I suppose).

societys_child

Unless there is a covenant stating that your neighbour must maintain the fence, which is unlikely, then he doesn't have to do anything.

If a covenant does exist, then a fence can be just a wire strung between posts.

If you want to stop your dog "escaping" it's not the neighbours problem, it really is up to you to ensure your garden is secure.

2013yearofthehouse

We had the fencing company back, who installed our fencing last summer, to adjust a gate last week, and the guy who runs the company was saying there's a shortage at the moment on panels due to all the storms - currently a 6 week wait from his main supplier.

It is your responsibility to keep your dog in and not his to put up fencing (except for a covenant) - maybe you could try and source the panels yourself, but like you say this may come at a premium, unfortunately.

Dan-Dan

And if you put panels up yourself they could take them down ( unliklely if you get on but neighbours can be a bit odd)

phill99

Previous postets are correct. Its not the neighbours responsibility to secure boundaries, its your.

I have had 2 rescue dogs and they require the frmce to be secure. It doesn't all have to look the same or be attractive, just secure. So for the sake of your dog, just put some wire mesh fencing up securely and enjoy your new dog.

MrsE_2

If you are happy to pay over the odds you can get panels.
Maybe he would let you buy a couple of expensive panels & slot them in until he's ready to do the fence himself.

shopaholicz

We don't have any dogs, but my neighbour does. They had 3 fence panels broken in storms and left it nearly 4 years before replacing them. They used to stand outside with their 2 dogs to make sure they didn't go through the gap!

Their excuse was that if they replace with the same panels they could be damaged in future storms.

So now, 4 years on, they've just replaced a 5 foot high fence, that couldn't be seen through, with a 3 foot high fence that you can see through. So they can now see straight into our conservatory and I can't sit outside anymore as they've put their table and chairs right up next to the fence and are sat out there even at 8am.

I don't think they see anything wrong with this as they still talk to us and have told other neighbours how they like and feel comfortable with us. The problem now seems to be ours, should we put a 2nd fence on our side to give us our privacy back, but that could make them feel that we don't like them. Awkward. Neighbours can be funny, but don't want to fall out with them.

Any suggestions?

System

shopaholicz wrote: »

Any suggestions?

Put up your own 5ft solid fence

d123

!!!!!! wrote: »

Put up your own 5ft solid fence

That seems far too reasonable and just common sense.

I'm sure they wanted some sort of justification to force the neighbour to put up a new 5 ft solid fence.

@shopaholicz and the OP

If you aren't happy with the current fence, put a hand in your pocket and pay for your own, it's not hard to come to that conclusion.

mrcow

If you don't like your boundary, put your own fence up. On YOUR property (ie not directly on the bounday but along it)

The neighbour can't touch it, you can get our dog. And you can all live in peace and harmony.

2013yearofthehouse

shopaholicz wrote: »

We don't have any dogs, but my neighbour does. They had 3 fence panels broken in storms and left it nearly 4 years before replacing them. They used to stand outside with their 2 dogs to make sure they didn't go through the gap!

Their excuse was that if they replace with the same panels they could be damaged in future storms.

So now, 4 years on, they've just replaced a 5 foot high fence, that couldn't be seen through, with a 3 foot high fence that you can see through. So they can now see straight into our conservatory and I can't sit outside anymore as they've put their table and chairs right up next to the fence and are sat out there even at 8am.

I don't think they see anything wrong with this as they still talk to us and have told other neighbours how they like and feel comfortable with us. The problem now seems to be ours, should we put a 2nd fence on our side to give us our privacy back, but that could make them feel that we don't like them. Awkward. Neighbours can be funny, but don't want to fall out with them.

Any suggestions?

We replaced our 5ft fence with a 6ft fence (the old fence was falling apart and needed replacing anyway) so that our neighbours would stop peering across, but they got a trampoline and put it right next to our fence, so now their kids wave at us, when their jumping, while we're sat on our sofa in the living room - some people are just weirdly friendly!