Fence issue

another_casualty

Being @joeypesci I thought that the neighbours may be wary of you 😼
Having said that , it's a delicate situation you're in ..

You have this immediate issue with the £300 fence . If I got on with that neighbour ( and it's only me, ) , I'd ask him if it's ok to pay In instalments and give him something extra  for sorting it . If the fence is the right type  and improvement even if I wasn't keen on neighbour , I'd pay to keep the peace and the fence is sorted . It would save bad feelings and possible legal stuff to contend with also. 

If on the other hand, the fence is a real rough job , then I would say to him that it is ugly and we could go halves for a decent one pending finances . He may be a handy builder to know if other problems arise and more helpful if you both agree etc

The other issue is a bit of a worry also unless you know the landlord letting the house out .
Hopefully , he is not going to erect a rough job just to get it out of the way also when he is ready . 

Neighbours are the most important factor of where we live . Unfortunately , unexcepected bills are not ideal but can happen .

Best of luck on whatever path you choose ..

joeypesci

theoretica said:

If you can't afford it then I think it is a bit of a pity you sent your neighbour off to get quotes rather than simply starting from the issue that unfortunately you were not in a position to contribute financially.

We didn't. He'd already decided to buy all the materials before even getting a quote. Then got one quote and assumed we'd agree to that one quote. We're not. Checking further on our deeds it has the question "Are there any boundaries you're required to contribute towards" the answer NO was ticked. So we're just deciding to not have a fence. If we want one at a later date we'll get one but pay for it ourselves.

Its about 15 panels worth. We wouldn't mind but the neighbour is aggressive when doesn't get his way. I thought I was imaging it but had a few people listen to him and say the same. That he talks normally when wants something then when you disagree gets aggressive and attempts to force you into doing what he wants.

The other issue I have if we paid half this then surely needs to go on the deeds which would means lawyers getting involved at great expense.

DRP

I wouldn’t think you need any change to deeds. Just keep receipts. 

Woolsery

GDB2222 said:

Our next door neighbour told us that we ought to replace "our fence". She said confidently that it was our responsibility and 'in the deeds'.

So, my wife and I (both getting on a bit) dug holes, poured concrete, and installed a new fence. A year or two later, I looked at the LR, for some other reason, and of course it says nothing at all about responsibility for the fences.

Ah but think of the good the exercise did you!

Woolsery

joeypesci said:

theoretica said:

If you can't afford it then I think it is a bit of a pity you sent your neighbour off to get quotes rather than simply starting from the issue that unfortunately you were not in a position to contribute financially.

Its about 15 panels worth. We wouldn't mind but the neighbour is aggressive when doesn't get his way.

The other issue I have if we paid half this then surely needs to go on the deeds which would means lawyers getting involved at great expense.

A £600 contribution to a properly erected 15 panel fence is reasonable and presumably it will enhance your garden. The alternative of growing a hedge will take time and you have just missed the bare root season which would make that the cheaper option, still taking time..

However, it sounds like you have no obligation to pay your neighbour anything due to a lack of legal compulsion and no agreement to share costs. So, it's up to you whether you might have some moral  reason to contribute or not and how much that might be, keeping in mind that neighbours with grudges can cost people in other ways.

You wouldn't add fence ownership to the property's documentation. You might well mention it in the questions before contract if you sell.