Love a house we've seen but fence is down

StandingInTheSun

This house ticks all our boxes bar one, and that is that the back boundary fence (which the vendor says belongs to the neighbour) has been damaged in a storm and is currently badly broken, leaning into our would-be property.

Obviously it's May and we haven't had a storm like that for a while, so we're wondering if the neighbours just don't care and will leave it like that. It really does reduce privacy as the two patio areas are essentially connected with it down.

I know things like this would come up in surveys and presumably conveyancing, but wondering if others have bought houses under similar conditions and if there's anything we can do in advance.

GDB2222

If you buy the place, you can erect your own fence. I've no idea of the length of fencing, but the cost will be pretty minimal. If the neighbours are nice people but broke, this wouldn't bother me.

Aspiration

I’ve had family who have had similar situation where they just put up a new fence on their side of the boundary so they can have what they want.

Lost a couple of cm in space but if you can put up your own fence it solves all the problems. Sounds like you’ve got a great property for you if that’s your only concern!

user1977

Lockdown may also be a factor if people have been postponing non-essential repairs.

catshark88

On its own, that really doesn't seem a reason not to buy a house!

davilown

StandingInTheSun said:

This house ticks all our boxes bar one, and that is that the back boundary fence (which the vendor says belongs to the neighbour) has been damaged in a storm and is currently badly broken, leaning into our would-be property.

Obviously it's May and we haven't had a storm like that for a while, so we're wondering if the neighbours just don't care and will leave it like that. It really does reduce privacy as the two patio areas are essentially connected with it down.

I know things like this would come up in surveys and presumably conveyancing, but wondering if others have bought houses under similar conditions and if there's anything we can do in advance.

I think we had a storm
like that 3 weeks ago?

just move in and put a new one up just inside your side of the boundary

Grumpy_chap

You may even find once you move in that the neighbours already renewed the fence by the time everything has gone through.  Or, they may be happy for you to replace the fence on the current line at your cost, so you don't even lose 4".
Either way, not a reason to not get the perfect house.

lisyloo

Have you considered knocking on the neighbours door and asking? Or are you not local?

lookstraightahead

If it's their fence, they can put chicken wire up if they want. Or they can take it down. If you want a fence, you can put one up (as long as it is within your boundary)

MysteryMe

We had really strong winds where I am about 10 days ago so may well be a recent occurrence.  Certainly wouldn't stop me buying.

NQManchester

It’s also quite difficult to get tradesmen at the moment so they may be waiting on someone to fix it