Money Moral Dilemma: Should we help pay for a new fence?

Erica51

We faced a similar problem when we moved nearly 26 years ago. We had a toddler and wanted to ensure she couldn't stray. We asked our solicitor which of us had responsibility for the fence. He told us that the deeds weren't clear but, "Remember you have to live next door to these people. If you want a safe barrier then put it there yourselves." This was excellent advice and we've lived happily side by side all this time. As we took responsibility for the fence between our back gardens, Tony has looked after the fence between our front gardens. Please try to come to an amicable agreement with your neighbours. This is far more important than any financial cost.

JayD

Whose boundary line is it? If it is your boundary line then you will need to give your neighbour permission if he wants to replace the fence - or replace it yourself. If it's his boundary, then you have no say in it anyway. Also, whoever erects the fence will then be responsible for maintaining it.

So once you know whose boundary, then you will know if you have a dilemma - and if it's yours then why not deal with the height issue in a way that suits you best?

Cimscate

If there is nothing wrong with the fence then no I don't think you should pay. He wants a taller fence he pays for it

Pipey1

There's no need to replace the fence, they can put up a fence on their own land as long as it's no more than 6' high.

John_Gray

Check whether your neighbour has a Dangerous Dog (within the meaning of the 1991 Act), and threaten to report him to the relevant authorities if he does not put up and pay for a five-metre-high chain-link fence on his land, to prevent your young children being attacked. Keep your own much lower solid wooden fence in place.

Why should he be able to reduce the amount of light coming into your garden?

bye_bye_band_G

When I read Martin's Moneytips email each week, I always click through to the Money Moral Dilemma, I find them interesting and I like to make my mind up what I'd do in that situation and see if others agree with me, although I don't often write anything. In fact they are probably my favourite part of the weekly email.

But I find I always have to wade through people moaning about how they're not real, how the MSE team shouldn't be wasting their time with these, moan moan moan, from forum regulars.

Give it a rest please, some of us like them, if you don't find it interesting you could always not comment! As me ma used to say, "if you can't think of something nice to say, don't say anything"!
Keep them coming please, MSE team.

tallgirld

No I wouldn't contribute. Furthermore if it's your fence and you like the one you have I wouldn't let them replace it at all. You could end up with an awful new fence! What kind of dog have they got that may escape. Gosh they may put up a fence with barbed wire all over it!!!!

vickyanne_2

As a dog owner I'd say you don't contribute. We've always sorted out the fencing with our neighbours agreement but if I want to keep my dog in it's my problem and I pay. As other people have said they could always put their own fence up on their land.

To the poster mentioning the dangerous dog act - what planet are you on?? there were no problems with the dog mentioned at all. Very few dogs are on the exempted list.

homeatlast

No, you should not help pay for a fence to replace the one that is already in place. If you want to offer some funding because, for example, the fence is a wreck then that is appropriate. You should also ensure that you retain ownership of the fence.

kazt2006

I'm just having the fence replaced between myself and the neighbours because it was in a poor state of repair and there were gaps I wanted to close to stop the local cats using it as a run through.

The neighbours in question for the long-run of fence have been away since before Christmas until 10 days ago! It'll end up costing me £1700 at mates rates and we had it all planned out to start on Good Friday! As they have been away for so long, I hadn't planned to tell them about it but low and behold Palm Sunday, they came back.

Obviously out of courtesy I put a note through their door to let them know the work would be taking place. When the original fencing has been removed, we've discovered it's actually their responsibility given the posts were in 3 foot of concrete at the edge of their driveway.

I'm not asking them to contribute to the cost because the fencing is for me so I think in the case of the dilemma I'd say if your neighbour wants the fence replacing then they do it at their own cost unless you both agree it's a poor state of repair!