The neighbours destroyed the fence

[FenceFuckery]

Name changed for this as it’s possibly outing. Daily mail are a bunch of cunts and all that.

Two days ago, our neighbour came over to ask if we wanted to contribute to getting the boundary fence rebuilt. It’s made of reclaimed rocks and is a bit fallen down, but it’s still perfectly serviceable. The quote he had (for his stonemason mates to do it) was £1500, so he was looking for a half share from us.

We didn’t commit, said we needed time to consider, to get our own quotes in etc.

Then came home yesterday to find his mates had been around, and had knocked the whole thing over - into our garden! So now there is an enormous pile of rocks on our property, my baby lime tree that I’ve been nurturing is buried, and our yard isn’t secure for our dog.

DH seems to think we may need to pony up eventually, but I’m in the hell no camp. We’ve spoken to a lawyer friend who has said we aren’t liable as it wasn’t agreed at least, but I think DH still wants to pay something once it’s restored to be neighbourly!

I’d post a photo but that would out me even further. Fuckers. All those baby limes that will never meet their true calling in my gin.....

There would be no way in hell I would pay anything now. They’ve done it to try and force your hand. Fuck them. Let your dog run into their garden and shit over their lawn!

And £1500 sounds crazy. You could get some nice, high wooden fence panels for less than that.....though guess it depends on the length. But nice little earner for his mates just before Xmas. I’d suspect the price is £750 and he’s trying to get you to pay the lot.

So is the fence now destroyedrather than repaired? Like hell would I be contributing now !

DH spoke to the neighbor and he is apparently mortified at the situation- he’s blaming the contractors.

Can I ask for a new tree as compensation?? DH seems to think that is a minor inconvenience. He doesn’t drink gin.

Don't contribute to the fence and those funds to buy limes. Not sure what to do about the dog thpugh

The stone wall will need to go back up as it’s a heritage area.

The dog is elderly and isn’t a wanderer unless there is a bin to explore. Perhaps we can point her in the direction of his bins.

It’s unreasonable to expect most people to be able to find £750 just like that. Especially for something which wasnt urgent at the time. I guess stone wall building is expensive. I would not want to pay. Is neighbour usually ok?

Also, is it a shared responsibility boundary? One of my neighbours tried to get me to go halves on the boundary fence and I pointed out the deeds said it was his fence and he could do what he wanted but I wouldn’t be paying. Neighbour was a bit suprised but is still speaking to me.

Is this a fence or a wall? Or a low wall with a fence on top?

If it's the contractors' fault, they should repair the fence at no charge.

Get a new lime tree from the contractor.
He was not hired by you, but destroyed your tree.
He should give you a bottle of gin too

Is one of you not responsible? In our gardens, we own one boundary, and the neighbour owns the other.
Do you own? You need to check your deeds.

Not checked the boundary - I’m fairly certain it’s shared so dual responsibility. We didn’t agree to any works though so can’t see how he can force us to pay up.

Oh man, I'd be furious about the baby lime tree.
The contractor at a minimum needs to replace it, without a doubt.

Not sure what to do about doggy, meanwhile.

Sorry for the crappy situation. Although I'm sure it will all work out in the end, you really didn't need this aggravation.

If it’s a conservation area they may have needed planning permission depending on the height of the wall and where it is. I would speak to the council to check - you want the planning enforcement team.