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

Jolly44

Boundary fences are responsible for so many neighbourhood disputes. What follows is what happened to us rightly or wrongly........

When we moved here the original neighbour had previously built a brick wall between our gardens. This was not his boundary but as it was what he wanted, he paid for all of it. When part of the wall fell over in a storm he again took responsibility and had a set of panel fences put up. When the next neighbours moved in and the fence panels needed replacing because they had allowed their children to brake them down, they wanted us to replace them. We should have done so but because the children were allowed to do what ever they liked without any consequences and had totally wrecked this fence and other front garden fences on our street we refused. Shortly after we rescued a dog and it became our responsibility to keep him on our garden so we ran a wire mesh fence along our side of the fence. Eventually, after another storm, all the panels more or less disintegrated workmen arrived and put up a new ones - we guessed that they had put in an insurance claim. The children, who are now almost adults, still climb up them, kick footballs at them, run or ride into them so I don't see these lasting for long.

As I said at the beginning. it was our legal responsibility but, we saw it as their moral responsibility. The situation between us didn't change as it had never been good to start with - as the saying goes "You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family or neighbours"!

brendajsidnell

You've provided and maintained a suitable boundary.

If they want a higher fence, let them erect one in their garden, not replace yours.

brendajsidnell

spirit wrote: »

What's the subject matter got to do with Marriages, relationships and families?


surely this should be on the In my Home board?

What difference does it make? Either take part in the discussion or if you're not interested, then ignore it.

Ian181676

I'd be wary of letting a neighbour replace your fence. I allowed that some years ago and the neighbour bodged the job. Fortunately, it fell down after about 2 years so I was able to replace it with a new, properly constructed, fence that is still standing 15 years later.

Questions for you:
1. Can you be sure the neighbour would do a good job?
2. Who owns the new fence?
3. Who's responsible for maintaining the new fence?
4. If the neighbour owns the new fence, is that moving the boundary?

If you're happy with the existing fence, but are willing to have a new, higher fence anyway, I'd be inclined to tell the neighbour that you will replace the fence (and continue to own it), but he'll have to pay you the full cost of doing so. If he doesn't like that he'll have to put a second fence up on his own land and leave yours as it is.

constantworrier

I wouldn't contribute. I put a 3ft fence up when I moved into my house. The neighbours kids completely destroyed it. Kicking the football against it/climbing over to get the ball. They never once said sorry or offered to repair it. Now they've just bought their house and put up a new 4ft fence beside mine and their kids are no longer allowed to play in their garden with the ball. So it was alright to kick the ball at my fence but not their own !!!

monalot

If this is the best MMD that has been submitted( which is a load of rubbish ) I will get a lion and take my fence down cause I hate my neigbour.

Ebenezer_Screwj

No, it's your fence, you call the shots. Supposing your neighbour had bought a herd of elephants? There is no way you should entertain any changes to your boundary let alone pay for it.

beeshorr

You should not pay towards any new fence that is for his benefit, and only agree to any changes and to your specifications.

jellitot

1 - who fits fences themselves? I am a much higher than average DIYer (built 3 house extensions myself) but would never do my own fencing. A proper fencer doing a foreigner on Saturday can supply and fit a fence cheaper than I can buy the materials for.


2 -Why bother about painting the fence? My neighbour paints his side of our fence where I don't. My side of the fence lasts as long as his does.

Cathykjz

Absolutely not! Their dogs, their problem.
Only if you are happy to change the fence should you agree and they should pay for the whole thing.
I agree that you should have the last say on specifications and make sure they don't move it in their favour.