What's fair re fence?

[Biscuits4]

Neighbour said my Mum's fence between them was looking a bit iffy, but he was happy to get someone in to sort and pay for it.

Looks like they've had other work done and the 4ft fence has been replaced with a 6ft fence (which my Mum wouldn't have chosen). In his defence, her garden is pretty overgrown, so I can see why he's chosen a 6ft fence but we both suspect her fence was ok.

She's now feeling a bit guilty and says she should pay for it as it's hers.

We have always gone half when the odd fence panel has been wind damaged or whatever, but one neighbour ripped up a boundary hedge as they wanted fencing. I did feel a bit guilty, as we benefit from it too, but they wanted the work done, we absolutely wouldn’t have done it (and couldn’t have afforded it if we had wanted to do it) so feel no guilt in not offering.
I don’t feel your mum needs to offer in this case either, as they were doing the work and have chosen what has been put in. They would have asked her to consider going halves if they wanted her to contribute, they’ve chosen to do it all, so let them.

It's her boundary but now their fence. I wouldn't pay (but would love a 6' fence) the only issue I can see is not being able to paint/stain or attach anything to it without their permission.

Have they actually replaced her fence yet, 6ft isn't that bad, if he's paid for it already..

I'd suggest she sends a bottle of wine and thanks him.

He offered to pay for it - presumably so he could get what he wanted, so she shouldn't feel guilty.

She definitely doesn't need to feel guilty. I think it was cheeky or him to do that without consulting her on the height and she has reason to feel aggrieved.

IRL I would probably say I got a free fence out it and it's one less job I have to deal with, so I'll let the height thing go. But she absolutely doesn't need to feel guilty and it does sound like she has been manipulated, which must feel quite uncomfortable for her.

I'd have a paper trail, msg him saying you've noticed that her fence has been replaced, do you owe them anything, does it affect the boundary and any future maintenance, hopefully he'll say no, everything stays the same and don't worry about the money. When you say overgrown, was it growing over the 4ft fence into his side

6ft isn't that bad

It is if you've got a very small garden and your neighbour puts up a 6ft fence on your south or west side; you can end up with a lot of shade. Some house deeds specify a maximum height for the fence.

Look I've done what the neighbour did.... It wasnt my fence but I wanted it a certain way so I just paid (this spunds similar)... he wants 6ft and privacy.

If your mum has the money and its no hardship... fine. offer to be nice .... if money is tight I would just say the fence is great and tale a bottle of something nice.

Yes, her fence has been replaced with a 6ft fence. The third nearest her house overlooks their side path (which they don't use) and home - as both homes are bungalows I guess it feels more enclosed for her.

Her shrubs are overgrown, so high, but I'm fairly sure they aren't growing over the other side of her boundary.

She can pay, but I think she's conscious that she's about to have roof repairs, much of her double glazing needs replacing (gaps and leaks) and yes, she needs someone in to take control of her garden.

I said I'd let her know what I think in a couple of days as she's got water running down the wall from the roof and that's my priority right now.

Oh, and thanks for your replies - I'll have a good think when I get in from work tomorrow.

The gutters may be blocked if the water from the roof isn't going into the drains which is an easy fix,, or is it down the internal wall.

MissMoneyFairy - luckily a roofer I trust has had a look - the lining has holes, chimney needs a new flashing and the ridge isn't great at that end - it's a case of pinning him down and ideally having dry weather. She's getting upset as the water is in eyesight of her tv, so I'm finding it quite stressful as she's upset. On top of that we have our own roof problems, so it's a case of which he does first, hopefully next week.

NDN wanted a 6 foot fence, he's paid for someone to install one. What's her dilemma? She doesn't own the new fence and she doesn't need to contribute towards it if she doesn't want to. She's not really involved with the fence issue so can save her pennies for her own, much more vital repair jobs. Hope it gets sorted soon, water ingress in your house is so stressful.

Not an ideal situation from either side, he doesn't have a great view, but he's installed something she wouldn't want.

He's already said he'd pay, so unless she's looking out directly onto it every day, don't pay. Also, he's had it done as part of his garden improvements, not hers.