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

crmism

It isn't altogether clear from what you say whether the fence has been erected already.

If it hasn't, then you've time to come to some agreement before anybody starts work and, as you're offering to provide some of the labour, you should explain that your efforts will be in lieu of what he's asking.

On the other hand, if the fence is up already and you're quite sure your neighbour never suggested sharing the cost beforehand, you can remind him it's his fence, it was his idea to replace it, and that there's no earthly reason why you should contribute.

Doc_N

Slightly different situation here, but similar principles.

We put up the fence between us and the neighbour. They use it as if it were their own (fixing things to it, for example, and occasionally damaging it) and would miss it enormously if it disappeared.

I'm not remotely bothered about it, and when it eventually falls down we'll just use a chain link fence, bushes, or something similar to mark the boundary.

At that point they'll probably freak and demand its reinstatement. Not going to happen, though, and nothing in the deeds, or the law, to require it.

shortcrust

I'd tell them that I was really annoyed that they hadn't discussed the money beforehand, and that because they hadn't mentioned it I'd assumed they were covering the costs themselves. I'd make the point that if I'd known I was expected to contribute I would have wanted to be involved in decisions such as choosing the fence panels. Then I'd insist on paying half rather than the 100 and would be passive aggressive for a couple of months.

That'd show em!

TheCyclingProgrammer

Everyone saying check your deeds - firstly it’s common for deeds to not say anything about boundary responsibilities and when they do it’s even rarer they explicitly say anything about fences.

Responsibility for maintaining a boundary is no indication of fence ownership, it may be a useful guide but nothing more. Anyone can put up a fence on their side of any boundary.

Doozergirl

Davesnave wrote: »

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.

I tried not to post and tried not to come back.

Opportunity for everyone to speak and no one to listen.

I learned the right answer here myself The nice thing about this particular board being not too busy is that people read each other's answers and respond to them, not just the OP.

ollybass

Fences have vertical support posts. I think that whoever owns the fence or installs it, should position the posts so that they are on his/her side, with the 'good' side facing the next-door property.

shaun_from_Africa

ollybass wrote: »

Fences have vertical support posts. I think that whoever owns the fence or installs it, should position the posts so that they are on his/her side, with the 'good' side facing the next-door property.

If I pay for and erect a fence which is totally on my property then why should I position the panels so that my neighbour gets the benefit of seeing the good side of them?
That might be the case with a fence that is on the border between two properties but if it's on my land, I want the full benefit of the fence I paid for and there is nothing stopping my neighbour putting up another fence on their land with the good side of their panels facing their house.

kerri_gt

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If I pay for and erect a fence which is totally on my property then why should I position the panels so that my neighbour gets the benefit of seeing the good side of them?
That might be the case with a fence that is on the border between two properties but if it's on my land, I want the full benefit of the fence I paid for and there is nothing stopping my neighbour putting up another fence on their land with the good side of their panels facing their house.

Not all fences have good vs bad sides, ours between our neighbours (which they installed) looks the same on both sides.

penedawn

If it is there fence and you can find that out on your deeds it is best not to as it can cause a problem if you or they sell the property on. Simple things are made complicated by the solicitors. If it is their they must also put the nice side of the fence on your side or again it presents a problem legally as the rough side should be on the owners side and that is usually how one knows which side is yours. You are responsible for the opposite side, unless your deeds say otherwise. Often the fence at the end is split between the property behind you and there may be 3 houses involved if they are offset. It is best to be very clear who own what and what they are going to do as in some areas fences can only be 3' high other 6'. You don't have to spend a bean on their fence even if you were responsible for it. It can fall down and you can ignore it if you choose. If you share it you have to agree about what size, shape, wood and split the cost exactly. Legally they have to inform/ask you if they can put the fence up they can't ask for any money. It is more about community and making the best decisions as often now people seem to want something really fancy that they adore and you hate looking at. It used not to be like that. We used to have one size fence, simple, all the same, same height. Less arguments. Check your paperwork.

penedawn

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If I pay for and erect a fence which is totally on my property then why should I position the panels so that my neighbour gets the benefit of seeing the good side of them?
That might be the case with a fence that is on the border between two properties but if it's on my land, I want the full benefit of the fence I paid for and there is nothing stopping my neighbour putting up another fence on their land with the good side of their panels facing their house.

We live more closely to our neighbours than our best friends often and fences are just a legal boundary for identifying it. Stick with the rules - we are a community not an 'I want what I want and blow the rest of you' that attitude is causing huge problems in all areas. We are not children, we sign the paperwork so read it and stick with the rules and show some respect for neighbours and the law.