Money Moral Dilemma: How do I tell my neighbours I can't afford to pay towards replacing our fence?

Suzycoll

MeteredOut said:

This may seem like a radical idea, but reiterate to them you can't afford it. If they want to replace it, they can, but you're not repaying them and you're happy with no fence.

Or use a few bits of cane a bit of string to mark the boundary.

There has been some great advice on this post.

I would just like to say you just have to be honest and tell them - end of !

Also - have you checked your house insurance? I thought I wasnt covered for storms but made a claim & it was paid out

Good luck 

squirrel59

Not sure why this is a dilemma? If your deeds specify you are either partly or wholly responsible for the fence, then you tell your neighbours a couple of posts and some wire will have to do, given your financial situation. If it's their responsibility, then they pay - and you reiterate that you don't have any money. 
Don't see what your problem is.

donny-gal

I think honesty is the best way forward, reiterate that you appreciate that they have replaced the fence, but at this moment in time you have no spare cash, cannot afford to take on a loan, with inflation/mortgage/pay cut whatever, you are barely keeping your head above water.

RealPersonB

I'm surprised to see so many comments suggesting the author should simply not pay. Clearly, the deeds need to be checked to determine who is responsible for the fence, and that will establish who should cover the cost. But if the fence is 100% the author's responsibility, or even shared 50/50, then they must find a way to get the work done. Full stop. There's no room for debate. Maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and speaking to them openly may help, especially if they are in a position to contribute or proceed with the repairs sooner. However, if the neighbours take on the cost, the author should repay them, even if only in tiny instalments over time. I find it baffling that some people believe not having the money is a valid excuse not to pay. It's no wonder Britain is on the decline...

Pollycat

MeteredOut said:

This may seem like a radical idea, but reiterate to them you can't afford it. 

+1 to this.

WIAWSNB

RealPersonB said:

I'm surprised to see so many comments suggesting the author should simply not pay. Clearly, the deeds need to be checked to determine who is responsible for the fence, and that will establish who should cover the cost. But if the fence is 100% the author's responsibility, or even shared 50/50, then they must find a way to get the work done. Full stop. There's no room for debate. Maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and speaking to them openly may help, especially if they are in a position to contribute or proceed with the repairs sooner. However, if the neighbours take on the cost, the author should repay them, even if only in tiny instalments over time. I find it baffling that some people believe not having the money is a valid excuse not to pay. It's no wonder Britain is on the decline...

I'm happy to debate this. 

swallowedtheanchor

As others have said you firstly need to ascertain whose fence it is, you may not be responsible for this fence. As neighbours have repaired it in past they obviously think they are responsible for it and are trying their luck to get you to help. 

UnsureAboutthis

WIAWSNB said:

A couple of other points which may be of general help regarding fences;
1) Unless the 'T's on deeds maps are accompanied by written text to explain them, then they are 'legally' meaningless in terms of indicating responsibility or ownership. I took some persuading on this, but it was evidenced to me on another forum, Gardenlaw.
2) The boundary line is an invisible feature, but can sometimes be evidenced very accurately, say if the properties are semi or terraced. In such cases, you can put your posts right up so their backs are 'touching' that line, and the concrete 'founds' for them can pass under and beyond the line. Clearly they should be below ground level. (Whether I'd want to have that argument with a recalcitrant neighbour is another matter...)

A very good point - IE, never takes the neighbour's word for it, check your Title Deeds plans as they often have the fence maked as explained above.

Neighbours often and its happened to us and someone we know, they will claim you own responsibility for a fence when you do not or vice versa.

MeteredOut

RealPersonB said:

I'm surprised to see so many comments suggesting the author should simply not pay. Clearly, the deeds need to be checked to determine who is responsible for the fence, and that will establish who should cover the cost. But if the fence is 100% the author's responsibility, or even shared 50/50, then they must find a way to get the work done. Full stop. There's no room for debate. Maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and speaking to them openly may help, especially if they are in a position to contribute or proceed with the repairs sooner. However, if the neighbours take on the cost, the author should repay them, even if only in tiny instalments over time. I find it baffling that some people believe not having the money is a valid excuse not to pay. It's no wonder Britain is on the decline...

Out of interest, when deeds specify that some is responsible for a boundary, will it every determine what that should be?

If such a clause does exist, I suspect it will merely say a boundary must be maintained.

Hence my original post saying a few canes a piece of string.

Or do deeds typically have something more substantive (eg, replace like-for-like)?

Grenage

MeteredOut said:

RealPersonB said:

I'm surprised to see so many comments suggesting the author should simply not pay. Clearly, the deeds need to be checked to determine who is responsible for the fence, and that will establish who should cover the cost. But if the fence is 100% the author's responsibility, or even shared 50/50, then they must find a way to get the work done. Full stop. There's no room for debate. Maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and speaking to them openly may help, especially if they are in a position to contribute or proceed with the repairs sooner. However, if the neighbours take on the cost, the author should repay them, even if only in tiny instalments over time. I find it baffling that some people believe not having the money is a valid excuse not to pay. It's no wonder Britain is on the decline...

Out of interest, when deeds specify that some is responsible for a boundary, will it every determine what that should be?

If such a clause does exist, I suspect it will merely say a boundary must be maintained.

Hence my original post saying a few canes a piece of string.

Or do deeds typically have something more substantive (eg, replace like-for-like)?

Deeds will stipulate requirements on the very rare occasion there are any.  My parent's neighbours' deeds state that they must maintain a 6-foot fence. 

For the vast majority, maintaining the boundary does not require anything beyond a bit of string.  If you have pets then you are obliged to restrict them to your garden in some fashion.