Neighbour Landlord asking for 1/2 fence cost

atarisrocks

My neighbour's kids has destroyed the fence between out houses but using it as a climbing frame and kicking footballs against it also the fence is all smashed at the bottom where tools have been stores against it.

They said around a month ago they are getting it fixed and I said great feel free to let us know if they need access.

We have since received a letter from the letting agency their landlord uses asking for half payment for the fence as the deeds is not clear who owns the fence.

2 years ago the neighbours on the other side of them replaced the fence under their own cost and we have replaced the fence on our other side and it seems everyone has replaced the left hand side as you look at the house from the front so I assumed that everyone was responsible for their left side as the there is no T or H mark on the land registry documents.

I am reluctant to pay half as the damaged is completely from the neighbours also I am worried that the landlord will then take it as we have joint responsibility and ask for money every time the fence get damaged by the kids. 

Should I tell the landlord to shove it in a nice way?

jonners666

Deeds indicate who is responsible for the boundary - not the fence.

Just refuse, but note that it will be their fence and you will have to ask permission to paint your side (in theory) 

Elliott.T123

In short yes.... There is no requirement for a fence at all, if they want a fence replaced they pay for it.

What I would say though is that if they are paying the full cost they will obviously get to choose what the fence looks like, and style. Would you be happy if they chose the cheapest ugliest looking fence? 

If you have a particular style you like could you suggest you will contribute (maybe negotiate if you don't want to pay 50%) but in return for you contributing you get to choose the style?

atarisrocks

I happy for the cheapest fence and not being able to paint it as it already the cheapest fence available.
I wouldn't be able to afford anything above the cheapest if I have to pay half anyway going by the quote we had sent through.

Elliott.T123

In which case just reply saying that you are happy with the fence as it is now and that if they want to replace it then they can do so at their own cost.

TBagpuss

write back and say that you believe that each property is responsible for the fence to the left of their property, based on your experience of how each fence has in fact been maintained, but that in any vent as the damage was caused by their tenants you believe that even if the fence were yours,. it would be their responsibility to make good the damage caused. 

macfan21

Coming from experience where my neighbour actually decided to take me to court for half the cost of fence he decided to put up, just make sure your position is made in writing and sent my signed for post. Just state you have no wish to contribute to the cost of the fence but that you will allow access should the landlord require it in order to replace or repair the fence. 

I wouldn’t bother going into any detail as it won’t change your mind, they just need to know, in writing, that you’re not coughing up. 

Jumblebumble

TBagpuss said:

write back and say that you believe that each property is responsible for the fence to the left of their property, based on your experience of how each fence has in fact been maintained, but that in any vent as the damage was caused by their tenants you believe that even if the fence were yours,. it would be their responsibility to make good the damage caused. 

What is the point of speculating as to who is responsible for the fence as this just muddies the waters?
If the deeds do not say then I would assume no one is. 
As others say a simple "no thanks" will suffice