Money Moral Dilemma: Should we pay for a fence panel that was supposed to be free?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

When we returned from a short break, we saw a fence panel between our and our neighbours' property had broken. It was on our property but the neighbours told us they'd sourced one in our absence for free, from someone they work with. When the friend arrived with the new panel, it didn't fit and he wanted £50 for his efforts. Should we pay?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Ebe_Scrooge

No.

Firstly, who is responsible for the fence ?  I doesn't matter who's property it's on, the title deeds will show who's responsibility it is.

If it's your neighbour's responsibility, then it's nowt to do with you.  If it's your responsibility then they should have left it up to you to replace it, and not gone out and got one without consulting you.

Of course, in the interest of maintaining good relations then you *may* want to come to some sort of amicable arrangement.  But from the details provided, it seems like the neighbour was somewhat hasty, and it's down to them to sort it out with their workmate.  Quite apart from anything else, any sensible person would have measured the panel first to see if it was going to fit in the first place.  And £50 seems a bit steep for "inconvenience" or whatever, especially if you're just doing it for a mate.

unforeseen

Neighbour arranged it, neighbour pays. 

kas42kas42

It is not your fault that they measured incorrectly. You might consider giving the workmate a bit of money if it was not his fault etc. But £50 is steep when you actually have not even got a panel replaced after all.

cz

No. Totally unreasonable! But... to echo another post.. to maintain relations then you may want to come to an arrangement. Had a massive falling out with a neighbour over similar situation.. me being stubborn refused to pay. Hindsight? Might have just been easier to have come to an arrangement. I’ve learned that it’s not always about being ‘right’. Good luck 

Hadenoughofitall

I'm surprised you even asked the question. Of course the answer is no.

Littlefoot20

No, politely decline and say you were told it would be free! Cheek

dmcw

Nope. Neighbours can pay. They should have discussed all options with you and as they didn’t and went ahead with haste then they can foot the Bill. 

Puffer

I agree with the others who say 'no' to payment.   But thank your neighbours for the kind thought - and don't be too critical in case they 'take a fence'.

markbrennan

I have seen lots of title deeds - unfortunately none of them had details of who owns fences ( which includes hedges in law) or precisely where the boundaries lie... I wish they did. Maybe some do.

Puffer

markbrennan said:

I have seen lots of title deeds - unfortunately none of them had details of who owns fences ( which includes hedges in law) or precisely where the boundaries lie... I wish they did. Maybe some do.

You are right in that plans in deeds are often silent on the point.   But if they show a 'T' marking, that is on the side of the person responsible for the fence, hedge or wall - whilst an 'H' marking indicates a party wall.   The presumption that the fence posts (if any) are on the side of the person responsible is unreliable; why always show the good side to your neighbour?