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

malkypaul

I might have contributed if they had said the cost upfront, but they didn't I would have helped with labour, (if I was fit enough) but I wouldn't contribute financially to their fence it is after all their fence, and would they contribute to you replacing the fence that is your responsibility i.e. the fence on your other boundary?

archie1411

It's up to you. If it's their fence, they have an obligation to maintain the boundary. If it's your fence and they choose to replace it, that's up to them. It also depends on how well you get on with your neighbours. For example, we have neighbours on one side who are lovely and, if they asked, we'd probably pay up - although a) it is unlikely they would ask and b) if they did ask, they would talk to us about it before starting. On the other hand, our other neighbours don't give us a second thought for how they conduct themselves. Most of the time, we just keep out of each others way and don't speak or impact on each other but just occasionally they do stuff where a normal person would come and have a conversation with you, just to smooth the way. So, in this second case, I'd tell them to get lost!

Devonian_Rodders

They want the fence, let them pay. Good neighbours are few and far between, and in the event of them moving, you don't have the issue as to whom the fence belongs.

rach_k

I'd pay it, on the understanding that the cash plus your husband's labour make it a jointly owned fence, meaning that you can grow plants up your side, hang stuff off it etc, just as they can on their side. If they're not happy with that, politely decline to pay.

Alan.J

If you contribute it will keep you in there good books, it will also give you some writes on to what you would like to do on your side of the fence regarding it's upkeep etc.

Tallan

I agree with others who referred to the legal position with regard to the fence ownership. As a guide, if the plans aren't available, the fence posts will be in the owners property, and that may give you a clue when looking at the building line. But if you are going to benefit from a new fence anyway, why not contribute - I replaced my neighbour's fence because I got all the benefit, and asked HIM for a contribution?!

MSR100

Similar situation. Our copy of the Land Registry documents included a site plan and showed quite clearly which property has responsibility for the dividing fences.
May not be the case in all situations but worth a look.
If responsibility for the fence is not clearly identified and you will both benefit then a contribution would be in order.
Otherwise no.

Hazeld15

It depends who is legally responsible for it in the first place. If it's theirs, I'd let them pay if they want to replace it.

John_Pierpoint

Assuming you live in England & Wales (Scottish law may be different) you cannot be forced to respect a POSITIVE covenant that would cost you money [ you can be forced to NOT do something] when you are not party to the original contract with the adjoining landowner.
However, if you do something on your land that damages your neighbour's property-and-rights then you are liable and the same applies to your neighbour. This includes introducing an "animal", that is not naturally there, to your land when it escapes and causes damage [Contentious if it is Tiddles the cat, who cannot be fenced in and the "animal" includes a reservoir of water!] regardless of next door's fence being a strand of wire. So that could be why the neighbour wants to build a good fence.


That said "good fences make good neighbours", so offering to help dig the post holes etc. makes sense.

Cimscate

I moved into my terraced house 2.5 years ago. My fences are considerably higher than all the others which gives me more privacy. I discovered when a panel blew down last year that I am responsible for both sides presumably because the previous owner replaced them. This is in the deeds but I had noticed it before, presumably neither did my solicitor as he never mentioned it!! However, it did allow me to speedily get it done without any hassle about whose fence it is, quite important as houses either side are rented so would have to deal with landlord. I would say you need to be careful that if you pay towards it you run the risk of sharing the responsibility and you will have to pay for repairs as well. Definitely need to clarify whose fence it is on the deeds.