Back Garden Fence

rosieskitt

My partner and I moved into our new build house July of last year, over the course of the last 10 months we have become friendly with our neighbours. They have openly admitted during that time that DIY wasn't their thing so when it came to discussions about the back garden fences (that were not supplied as part of the build) we offered to put the left hand side of our fence up, if they would be okay to contribute to the materials which they agreed and seemed grateful for.

The fence has now been up nearly two months and we have had no offer from them about the money. My partner and I have brought it up with them twice in conversation and asked if they would still be okay to contribute, (we are all the same age, mid 20's) and said that we wouldn't expect it all in one lump sum but would appreciate it in bits and bats where possible.

On Saturday, one of their Dads knocked on my front door quite confrontational suggesting that we were bullying them into paying us which I was taken aback by as it is not the case at all. He went on to explain the money we had asked for was 'steep' and unrealistic. I told him that we had asked for less than half and that we had all the receipts for them if they wanted.

I now feel like the whole thing has been made into a problem that never needed to be. I've tried knocking on their door since to try and smooth things over and give them the receipts but they seem to be avoiding me.

I absolutely don't want to fall out with them as we live next door and we are going to be there for the foreseeable future, however part of me now wants to take the fence down to let them sort it themselves haha! I know looking back we should of waited until they had paid us before putting the fence up but we genuinely thought we were doing them a favour and just put it up at the same time as the fence which is typically deemed our responsibility.

Any help or tips on how to approach going forward?

Boohoo

Hello.


There was a poster on here that was being pursued for his portion of a new fence and here is his thread ans also his other thread on leaglbeagles after he was taken to County Court by his neighbour.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5889442/being-pressured-to-contribute-towards-fence


https://legalbeagles.info/forums/forum/legal-forums/housing-property-and-neighbours/1423951-being-pursued-for-cost-of-replacement-fence


I hope reading them will give you some help/ideas.

rosieskitt

Thanks Boohoo, I really don't want to get into County Court as I don't want things to be awkward or uncomfortable for either of us but we are both first time buyers and find ourselves short cash so we are both in the same boat!

We have said we would be happy to accept the money as and when they can afford over the coming months it as we don't want them to skint themselves or make things tight for them.

I just feel that his Dad coming round on Saturday has left a sour taste in our mouths and made the whole thing into a situation that wasn't necessary.

[Deleted User]

You should never have offered.

If the fence was their responsibility then you should have just left them to sort it themselves.

I know you just wanted to do the friendly neighbourly thing, but quite often money and neighbours do not mix well.

Now, you can either take the fence down in protest and probably cause bad vibes.

Or leave it up and put this whole experience down to a lesson learned.

rosieskitt

I know I know, looking back in hindsight we should of absolutely not put it up but we just wanted the privacy!!

Thanks guys

Jackmydad

Personally I'd let it go. You have after all got the privacy you wanted.
However, I wouldn't be doing anything else for them unless it really was to my benefit.
I've found over the years that it's better in general to keep neighbours on a sort of "friendly business" relationship.

rosieskitt

I think you're all right and we are going to have to swallow the cost

comeandgo

You seem to have wanted the fence, I think it rather cheeky of you to expect your neighbours to pay part of it.

rosieskitt

I'm confused as to who wouldn't want a fence between their garden? When we moved in there was nothing separating our gardens, the fence is on their right which I'm lead to believe after researching and looking at the deeds is their responsibility?

I'm pretty sure they would think it's cheeky if our dog ran on their garden because they hadn't put a fence up?

Thanks for your input though.

Mojisola

rosieskitt wrote: »

I'm pretty sure they would think it's cheeky if our dog ran on their garden because they hadn't put a fence up?

If you have a dog, it's your responsibility to stop it straying, not your neighbours!

rosieskitt

We haven't, I was talking hypothetically.