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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fence issues with neighbours

24 replies

ElsewhereOnTheWeb · 30/01/2019 07:17

I’ve name changed for this very long post. Last year one of my fences in the front garden blew down, after a few days next door neighbour ( I’ll call them neighbour a) knocked and asked if I wanted to go half to fix the fence. I thought that was reasonable, asked them to get a quote and I’d look. A few days later neighbour A’s partner knocked saying it would cost me £160 and they’d need it in a few days (he’s quite intimidating) again, I asked for a quote, he said yes, they’d get one. Another few days passed, he knocked again and asked if I had the money cause they needed to start the work. To be honest, I felt intimidated, so gave the money and let the work be carried out. I later found out it was neighbour a’s dad doing the work and they fenced the whole of their garden ( lesson learned!).

Fast forward to now, the fence on the other side has blown over and as I had a lot on ( I don’t want to drip feed - so I’ll say here I had two bereavements and my DS was very unwell) I’ve not done a lot. My neighbour on the other side ( neighbour b) called me over today and said that neighbour a had talked to her about how the fence was letting the street down so could it get fixed. Neighbour b then told me she’d checked her deeds and I was responsible for the fence so needed to replace it. I am now not in the position to be able to just replace the fence so AIBU to try and find a cheaper solution - albeit one that doesn’t fit in with what the neighbours want/say.

Unfortunately I don’t think I’d be able to do the job myself otherwise I would ( I think it’d fall down after a few days!) but any ideas for a cheap, but relatively nice solution would be helpful.

OP posts:
Consolidatedyourloins · 30/01/2019 07:22

Hi OP, have you checked your deeds to see what fence you're responsible for? I don't see why you would be responsible for both sides. Also, no one can force you to fix the fence, it's not a legal requirement. Just say no!

It sounds like your first neighbour ripped you off, that would make me angry and want to ensure you weren't being ripped off again.

swingofthings · 30/01/2019 07:35

So really you had no reason to pay neighbour a anything the first time. Pity you didn't check. You could tell neighbour b to get the money from neighbour a since you paid part of his fence but likely won't go anywhere positive.

I would just fix as you can and of either neighbour complain, say you don't have the money since you gifted some to neighbour a.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 30/01/2019 07:36

Do YOU need the fence fixing? If not, then it can wait until you're ready. Just clear away the broken bit; replace it when it suits you.

MoreCheeseDear · 30/01/2019 07:38

Just say you can't afford it as you were made to pay for the other fence.

ElsewhereOnTheWeb · 30/01/2019 08:16

Thanks for your replies. I’m going to check the deeds later when I’m home from work, and I removed the broken piece yesterday.

The rest of the fence is standing, and relatively sturdy, just not in standing with a brand new shiny fence ( like the other side). I shall have a word with neighbour b and let her know I paid for the cost of the other fence and replace this one when I can afford it.

OP posts:
Jamiefraserskilt · 30/01/2019 08:26

Usually,a fence is just a marker of the boundary. It could be a hedge, a row of plants, a wire affair or anything. You have cleared up the bits and now it can wait until you are able to replace it. Do tell your neighbour, if they comment again, that you already paid over the top for your other neighbour's fence so it will have to wait until you have spare funds.

Lushlemming · 30/01/2019 08:34

Nobody is responsible for a fence. Having one isn't a legal requirement. Fix it if you want to. Otherwise don't bother. If your neighbour wanted one that badly they could build their own.

TheLostTargaryen · 30/01/2019 08:40

As others have said, there is no legal requirement to have a fence of any kind. You paid half of what it would cost to replace a whole garden of fencing by neighbour A and you should have paid no more than around a 6th of the whole cost. I can see why you don't want to pay again. However, in future never ever let yourself be intimidated into paying for something you don't need to again. It's free to get quotes so do call as many companies as you would like to repair not replace any future fencing.

BlackCatSleeping · 30/01/2019 08:46

Just say you can't afford it as you were made to pay for the other fence.

I'd go with this!

Notwiththeseknees · 30/01/2019 09:38

There is no requirement to have a fence or anything at all to mark your boundary. You could take down the whole thing to neaten it up and plant some hedging in the spring - if you wanted to. Love these CFs telling you how to spend your money!

StoneofDestiny · 30/01/2019 09:44

There is no requirement to have a fence or anything at all to mark your boundary. You could take down the whole thing to neaten it up and plant some hedging in the spring - if you wanted to. Love these CFs telling you how to spend your money!

Agree - just plant a flower border or a hedge if you want a boundary marker. If it is not necessary, just leave it open. Your choice

Recavanometer · 01/06/2019 13:24

Er hang on. So your first neighbour tapped you up for a boundary that isn’t yours and now you want to make your other neighbour wait till you can afford it? How is that fair?

Dottierichardson · 01/06/2019 13:27

OP there is no requirement to have a fence, so if you can't afford it then leave it, tell the neighbours who are bothered they are welcome to erect a barrier inside their boundary. My old neighbour couldn't afford to replace her fence when it started to fall apart, so we erected a frame in our garden, right next to boundary, and attached bamboo screening.

Recavanometer · 01/06/2019 13:31

There might not be a legal requirement but it’s a really good way to piss off your neighbours.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/06/2019 13:38

Yeah! In a way that intimidating neighbours for money that you aren't legally entitled jto ust doesn't, somehow!

OP. Do tell Neighbour B that Neighbour A has a nerve to complain as he has £160 out of you for his fence. Ask her what she would prefer... it to stay as it it, to wait until you and your family have recovered or to take it down and plant something pretty in it place.

Then ignore them and get on with rebuilding your own equilibrium!

PCohle · 01/06/2019 13:39

It's really nothing to do with neighbour B that you didn't check the fence ownership when you paid for half of your fence with neighbour A though.

If you can't afford it then you can't afford it but you seem to be equating the two situations when they're entirely separate issues.

DonPablo · 01/06/2019 13:46

make your other neighbour wait what? Op doesn't have to do anything here, and definitely not to a timeline!

If the neighbour wants a fence the neighbour can put a fence in, tomorrow if they like! Op could just plant some plants to grow a hedge there if she'd prefer.

DontCallMeShitley · 01/06/2019 13:48

Can you just replace the broken bit and keep the rest?

Seeline · 01/06/2019 13:56

NDNs deeds will only show if she is responsible for maintaining a boundary, not that you are.

You must check your deeds to see if you are responsible for any of your boundaries. As PPs have said, even if you are, you do not have to have a fence. If you are, you need to tidy things up, but nothing else.

TheSerenDipitY · 01/06/2019 13:57

just say nope, i like the gap so imma keep it just like it is... if you hold out long enough they might fix it themselves

LIVIA999 · 01/06/2019 16:15

This thread is from January.... I'm sure it's resolved one way or another now

CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/06/2019 16:33

Bugger. I normally spot the oldies Sad

Thanks for the heads up, LIVIA

ZOMBIE THREAD

Recavanometer · 01/06/2019 16:56

I bounced it because my mum is going through exactly the same thing

Homerjsimpson · 01/06/2019 17:05

Depending on the construction of the fence you could potentially replace one panel reasonably cheaply. I just replaced eight panels but since the concrete posts were fine I just ordered the panels online, slid the old ones out and replaced with the new.

The panels cost £50 each but they were the biggest size (6ft x 6ft) and mid-priced for the size. I could have got ones for about £25 per panel so might be an affordable way to go if it’s just one panel you need.

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