Money Moral Dilemma: Should we help pay for the fence our new neighbours put up?

yksi

"This is a really awkward situation. We were happy with the old fence and we don't understand why it was replaced, and unfortunately, we can't afford to contribute to the new one. What a pity you didn't speak with us first..."

Capitano

Definitely do not pay anything. If they could not be bothered to discuss any proposals with you then the responsibility is entirely theirs

haz25a

I would be absolutely furious if my neighbours took down the fence that I paid for without consulting me first. I had the common courtesy to ask if they objected before I erected my boundary fence. Pay nothing and then when the cheap fence panels break in the first storm, sit back and smile smugly while they pay to replace them.

keithyno.1

As unfortunate a situation as this is, nearly everyone who’s replied up to now has expressed moral indignation and/or focussed purely on the monetary aspect. But maybe the poster needs to look at it another way.

It’s a fact that the vast majority of neighbour disputes usually start over one or more of three things:

1) Fences
2) Parking
3) Overhanging trees etc

This obviously refers to the first one. Now, as aggrieved as the poster may feel about the removal of an old but functional fence AND then being asked to contribute towards it, maybe they need to put their annoyance to one side and look at the bigger picture. 

Firstly, they DO now have a new fence in place. With proper care (painting with weather-proof materials etc) it could be assumed that this new fence will last a lot longer than the old one, and so shouldn’t need replacing again for quite a few years to come.

But secondly, and maybe more importantly, perhaps they need to consider whether it’s worth getting off on a bad footing with these new neighbours. Yes, they’ve been there longer than the new arrivals but that’s inconsequential because they are now just that, neighbours, and will continue to be in the future. So, is it worth risking bad feeling over this, possibly leading to ongoing unpleasantness?

Nearly everyone realises (or at least, most people do) that it’s just good to co-exist with your neighbours in a state of harmony, friendliness and co-operation. It makes life more pleasant for everyone involved. Personally I have great neighbours, 4 immediately to the left of my house which is in a terraced block, and 5 immediately to the right. Everyone is friendly, and we all help each other out as and when required. You could say I’m lucky, but then generally you get back what you give out in life.

So, maybe the poster should look more to the future instead of concentrating on this immediate issue which is obviously troubling them. As they get to know these new neighbours better, they might find they’re fantastic people who’ll do anything to help anyone, but due to the cost of their move are a bit stretched financially and, thinking they were doing the right thing by having the new fence put up, just want the cost split between both properties as on the face of it it IS to the benefit of both.

Maybe the poster might think about when they’re next going away and want someone to keep a general eye on their property. And the numerous parcel deliveries most of us get these days, and the handiness of having a good neighbour who’s happy to accept delivery on their behalf instead of it having to keep being rescheduled. And the errands their neighbour might run for them if they’re ill or self-isolating. Or the help they may just need to help clear the snow off the driveway during the next bad winter. Etc, etc.

In short, it’s just GOOD to get on with your neighbours. Unlike most other things related to properties, you can’t put a price on the value of good ones. So think about biting the bullet over the cost of this new fence, stump up half of it with a reasonable show of willingness and hope for the best. And as I said earlier, generally you get back what you give out in life.

Samphirem

I would only take the lengthy advice given above with the proviso that these new neighbours have shown you their colours and you need to set clear boundaries for future work if you decide to contribute. For example, insist on being told before any noisy work begins and so on. In short, make clear you are not a pushover who will put up with anything but you (unlike them) are a reasonable person happy to co exist alongside other reasonable people.   

PaulTee

Look at the Land Registry site plan and there should be indicators to show which fence(s) belong to the property

becs_86

I assumed that all houses went by the same  ‘rule’ - you’re responsible for the the fence which is on the left (as you stand looking at it from the door). 
Obviously that doesnt mean if that neighbour wanted to change that fence if it’s perfectly fine that you have to pay for what  they want. It’s more to do with if it’s your responsibility if it’s in a state of dis-repair. 
In your case, however, whether its the left or right, this is your own personal preference as to whether to voluntarily contribute, as they clearly should have mentioned it to you first, especially if they were expecting you to split the cost. Personally if they had done the job already without prior agreement, I wouldn’t be paying for anything

janeyb777_2

I would not rely on the left hand side being your fence.  Until very recently I lived in a relatively modern house and It was the right hand fence that was mine.  Clearly marked on the Land Registry deeds.

SuperScrimper1

The old fence was solid and did not need replacement. They wished to replace as they preferred a different fence and then have decided you should part pay the cost of replacement for something they wished to buy. I would say NO explain and explain why.It sounds like bullying behaviour to be honest... hopefully you will not have a problem However if they are prepared to do something like this you might unfortunately.

Pollycat

janeyb777_2 said:

I would not rely on the left hand side being your fence.  Until very recently I lived in a relatively modern house and It was the right hand fence that was mine.  Clearly marked on the Land Registry deeds.

Mine too.

And the fence down the left hand side of our house is actually the bottom fence of 8 different houses - which were built before our house was built so I can't see how a fence that existed before our house existed can be mine.

As for the dilemma:

If there was a fence between our house and next door (there is, on my right hand side), I would expect the neighbour to at least have the courtesy to ask us before ripping the fence down unless they were 100% sure it belonged to them.

And even if it did, I'd expect them to at least mention they were taking their fence down - in case we had any special plants growing close to the fence.

And after ripping the fence down without asking, I'd expect the neighbour to at least consult with us about the design of the fence before asking for a contribution.

My neighbour would have spoken to us way before taking a fence down.

Maybe that's why we've been happy next door neighbours for nearly 30 years.

So to answer the question:

"Should we pay up?"

I would politely decline and tell them things might have been different if they had broached the subject before starting the work as I would have preferred to have some input on the design of the fence if I was part paying for it.