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

MeteredOut

CapeTown said:

MeteredOut said:

CapeTown said:

House13 said:

"I'm sorry but I can't contribute financially to replacing the fence. But I am more than happy to help you by offering my support for the labour"

And I am sure the person supplying and erecting the fence will be delighted to reduce the cost to your neighbour as a result

I've never know a trade who would reduce their cost based on their customer (or a neighbour of their customer) helping; most think (and probably realise) that it could end up taking them longer.

There are exceptions. eg, if they would otherwise hire a labourer, and the customer can fill in that role, but what if the customer doesn't work as fast as their usual labourer does and the job takes longer? Who pays for the extra time?

Might be worth saying it to the neighbour if they want to appease them, but I doubt it will save them any money.

Methinks you are not recognising sarcasm

Youthinks correctly.

WIAWSNB

CapeTown said:

MeteredOut said:

CapeTown said:

House13 said:

"I'm sorry but I can't contribute financially to replacing the fence. But I am more than happy to help you by offering my support for the labour"

And I am sure the person supplying and erecting the fence will be delighted to reduce the cost to your neighbour as a result

I've never know a trade who would reduce their cost based on their customer (or a neighbour of their customer) helping; most think (and probably realise) that it could end up taking them longer.

There are exceptions. eg, if they would otherwise hire a labourer, and the customer can fill in that role, but what if the customer doesn't work as fast as their usual labourer does and the job takes longer? Who pays for the extra time?

Might be worth saying it to the neighbour if they want to appease them, but I doubt it will save them any money.

Methinks you are not recognising sarcasm

Neffer!!!!

Christianne1957

Reiterate that you cannot afford to commit to the cost of a new fence. Perhaps you could consider putting in a hedge instead? It may be possible to ask locally to take free cuttings of bushes such as hawthorn, quickthorn, willow, hazel etc

Deb02

I would check the boundary line in your deeds if your neighbours paid for a new fence before you moved in. Why would they have paid for all of it then but now it's blown over are expecting half of to be paid for by you?  
I would as others have said try to explain your financial state to your neighbours.  Explain you are struggling to buy food and pay for basics. 
Maybe offer to cut their grass or clean their car(cars) etc once a week for six months to pay them back or offer something else for free - whatever it is make sure you set a timeline.  

WIAWSNB

"Hey, man. I'm poor. Cannae even feed ma kids. But I'll be your wallah... I'll spit-clean yer boots. Scrub yer pan. Wipe yer..."

Dizzycap

WIAWSNB said:

If your deeds do not state that you 'must' maintain, or contribute to, a physical boundary, then you do not have to. The sole exception, as far as I know, is if you need to keep the boundary secure to prevent your animals - and that includes 'kids' of all types - within your own land.
Neighbourly convention drives most agreements on maintaining fences, but no-one 'needs' to have a fence.
These are tough times for lots of folk, so if you can genuinely say you cannot contribute to this fence, then that's it. You are fortunate in having a neighbour who can afford to, and is 'happy' to do so.
So, a great big, "Genuinely sorry, but I simply cannot afford to contribute. If this changes, I'd be happy to do so."
Absolutely no commitment or promise to do so. Of course, if you somehow come in to spare money, then you should.
Keep some things in mind;
1) You don't have to. 
2) They don't have to.
3) You can't afford to.
4) They can afford to.
5) They 'want' this fence.
6) That's it.

Spot on!   

20vt-rs

Shared fences really are a pain, because as others have pointed out, usually only one half of the shared side wants something done at any one time. Mine is shared, and I have assigned myself to paying whenever I want something done, as asking to me is a bit rude, and not the neighbours idea or want. I hope you were able to sort this out, just say you don't have any money for this, and if they want to have it done they are ok to go ahead. Good luck.