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Original poster

Wwyd? Neighbour and fence!!!!!

65 replies

kp78 · 22/06/2018 22:34

Neighbour at back of our house has said she wants to replace back fence. She says she believes it's a shared fence and wants us to pay half. Our experience before she moved in was that it was her fence as the man who lived there had it fixed a few times. We also have the good side.

The fence is fine for us but she says it's going to fall down. I've said no we can't afford to contribute at the moment (we've had a lot of work done on our house and every penny is going towards finishing the work) but she's now put a note through saying it's £250 and she wants half and she will happily allow us to pay in instalments.

On the one hand we can find the money but on the other we've said no twice already and we are also not worried about the state of the fence!

Wwyd?

OP posts:
redcaryellowcar · 22/06/2018 22:37

Check your deeds, work out who actually owns the fence and then explain to her whose it is, and whose responsibility it is to pay?

Jonbb · 22/06/2018 22:38

Write back, please refer to our previous discussions. Kind regards . . .

GreenTulips · 22/06/2018 22:39

Take photos
Send a message (traceable) and say no.

user1469032438 · 22/06/2018 22:40

Just keep saying no. Can you check the deeds to the house or something and see who actually owns the fence?

Original poster
kp78 · 22/06/2018 22:40

Trying to get copy of the deeds online that's going to cost me moneyHmm typical!

OP posts:
Thehop · 22/06/2018 22:40

“Thank you for offering us the chance to contribute.

a) if this is our fence and our responsibility, we like it as it is. Please leave it alone.

B) if it is your fence and your responsibility, then it’s your fence and your responsibility.

Kind regards

Kingsclerelass · 22/06/2018 22:42

The deeds of your home should indicate which fences are yours and which are hers.
Can you check them?

I’d send a note back saying you are perfectly happy with the fence as it is, you don’t think it’s yours and that you don’t have any spare money at the moment so you are unable to contribute.

Or she’ll be back with request after request.

Littleredboat · 22/06/2018 22:45

Surely you must have your deeds somewhere from when you bought it?

But yeah, it’s either your choice to say no or her fence to maintain!

ThePants999 · 22/06/2018 22:47

Let's clear up this misconception yet again.

The deeds do NOT tell you anything about fences. They tell you who has responsibility for maintaining the boundary. That responsibility can be fulfilled with a bit of string if you want.

A fence is owned by whoever paid for it. It's perfectly plausible for one neighbour to buy and install a fence along a boundary that another neighbour has responsibility for. It's perfectly plausible for both neighbours to buy their own fences for the same boundary. It's perfectly plausible to share the costs and therefore the ownership of a fence. Deeds will tell you none of this.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 22/06/2018 22:47

You should have a map in the deeds when you bought the house showing which fences you are responsible for.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 22/06/2018 22:48

My deeds show which fences I am responsible for

User121 · 22/06/2018 22:48

Having the good side means nothing. Moved into a new build with only chicken wire for fencing. My neighbour decided they wanted the good side when putting up their fence, so I've ended up with two bad sides even though only one is mine.

ThePants999 · 22/06/2018 22:48

Oh - and, of course, not all title plans even show boundary responsibilities at all. Mine don't.

BMW6 · 22/06/2018 22:59

Just reply "No thanks we like the fence as it is. We do not want a new fence so we will not be contributing"

DesignStatement · 22/06/2018 23:01

"As already stated to you, we are happy with the fence as it is and do not intend to contribute for you to have a new fence"

Dropdeadfredra · 22/06/2018 23:02

House deeds hardly ever indicate who owns the fence. Even if they do it isn't definitive.

NoSquirrels · 22/06/2018 23:02

If your neighbour believes it’s dhared, she can show you her reasoning/proof.

If she can’t, then don’t pay.

Original poster
kp78 · 22/06/2018 23:03

Deeds don't show anythin! Although from looking at them the fence is not just across the back of our garden it's across both mine and my neighbours therefore I think our initial idea of it not being shared is correct.

Wwyd? Neighbour and fence!!!!!
OP posts:
Ariela · 22/06/2018 23:13

When you bought the house, your solicitor will have asked in the enquiries to the vendors who has responsibility for the fences.
You should have (kept) a copy of this from the solicitor when you bought.

Daisymay2 · 22/06/2018 23:17

Have you checked with the other neighbour who may or maynot share a fence with her. Presumably she would be looking for a contribution from them as well? It woud be useful if you can demonstrate that the previous owner maintained the fence
However, in any case write back stating that
a. you don't believe this is a shared fence and will not be making any contribution.
b. you don't see the need to replace the fence
Saying you can't afford it, implies you think that you should contribute iyswim.

Sisgal · 22/06/2018 23:22

I don't understand what the problem is? You don't want anything done to the fence so just say no. It's that simple.

ToadOfSadness · 22/06/2018 23:25

The 'good side' means nothing. My neighbour has recently replaced the fence and paid for it, we have the 'ugly side' although I don't mind as it is far nicer than the one on the other side. Our deeds show nothing and over the years people have added extensions and low walls and bits of trellis to the extent that we just share whatever seems appropriate when it needs fixing, unless it is clearly on someone's land.

mumsastudent · 22/06/2018 23:31

when we bought house our solicitor asked which fence was ours

snewname · 23/06/2018 04:40

They are trying it on but it doesn't mean you have tio go along with it.

OliviaStabler · 23/06/2018 04:50

Just pop a note through her door:

'Dear Neighbour,

To reiterate, we are not interested in updating the fence and will not be contributing any costs Please do not contact us again about this matter.

Kind regards,
OP'

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