Money Moral Dilemma: Should we contribute to our neighbour's fence?

Wizzbang

Just read your title deeds!

The fences I am responsible for are marked with a T on my documents, plus there is a paragraph stating my responsibility and obligations. The title deeds will set out everything you need to know.

I am only responsible for 2 out of the 3 sides of my garden. You can choose to double fence, if your neighbour doesn't take appropriate responsibility for their boundary. Or, if you don't want to look at the wrong side of a close-boarded fence, for example, or if they paint it a hideous colour. That solves a myriad of problems, though expensive!

However if the fence borders a road, you need planning permission for it. Though that is unlikely, given it sounds like it's between your two gardens.

Davesnave

Wizzbang wrote: »

Just read your title deeds!

The fences I am responsible for are marked with a T on my documents, plus there is a paragraph stating my responsibility and obligations. The title deeds will set out everything you need to know.

Not so. The instances when title documents are as clear as that are comparatively rare.

There's fence questions on here all the time, so regulars in this section of the forum know by now what's typical. Doozergirl above is a regular.

P.S. A fence bordering a road only needs PP if it exceeds 1m.

happyinflorida

Do you own the property?

If you're renting, then your landlord needs to check their title deeds to see who is legally responsible for the boundary and fence.

If putting up a new fence - you need to ask the landlords permission first if you don't own the place you live.


This is England - it's different in Scotland - I'm not sure about Wales, if they have different laws or not. Again, Ireland is different - so look into this first.

If you own the property and your neighbour is responsible for that boundary, point this out to them. If you pay for part of the fence, it means you will also be partially responsible for paying towards any future repairs for this fence, so watch out. By helping to put it up - you're not financially responsible - so feel free to offer help which your neighbour should be grateful for if they're doing the work themselves as it's a lot of work!

Keep things friendly though - having watching that TV programme "Neighbours from hell" quite often feuds start out over things like this, so don't allow things to get heated, if they seem unhappy with things, go out for a drink to discuss - being on neutral territory helps apparently?! Don't get drunk and make big promises you later regret!

Do your best to work things out amicably because having good relations with your neighbours is extremely important.

pollypenny

It's in your interest to have a good looking fence, so contribute if you can afford it.

Davesnave

pollypenny wrote: »

It's in your interest to have a good looking fence, so contribute if you can afford it.

Gosh, is it really as simple as that?

That's exactly what I would do, adding that if it aided neighbourly relations as well as looking good, it might be worth considerably more than £100.

themilk

Had this issue recently. My neighbours wanted to replace the fences in their garden on all sides including mine (which is fairly new and in good condition),and wanted me to contribute towards the replacement of my side so that the fence in their garden matched.I refused as I didn't want it done, and the costs were too high - plus of course my matching fence then wouldn't - but did say that they could do whatever they wanted to with their side of my fence - if they wanted it painted or whatever they could do, or they could double fence.

I mentioned that if their double fence blew into mine, they'd be responsible, and I'd only pay to replace my panels. All amicable, no cross words. They haven't currently replaced any of the fence panels!

ksbritton

We have shared the costs of fences on both sides of our garden. If you are getting a new fence instead of an old wire one for the amount quoted its a bargain. A factor may be how long you intend to stay. Also it is important that anyone buying your neighbours houses are aware of the situation.

Davesnave

ksbritton wrote: »

A factor may be how long you intend to stay.

I agree.



A new fence, providing more privacy than a wire one, will create a favourable impression with potential buyers .

gaving7095

& they say good fences make good neighbours XD

Yes I would pay, whilst also pointing out that they really should have told you up front that they expected you to pay.

Mojisola

gaving7095 wrote: »

Yes I would pay, whilst also pointing out that they really should have told you up front that they expected you to pay.

And that, as you are contributing money and providing labour, you should have had some say in which fencing was chosen.