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AIBU?

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Original poster

Neighbours burnt my fence

52 replies

Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 16:36

Backstory - neighbour is selling his home to his son ( son currently living there) & son has MH issues ( was a doorman - took steroids etc ). Last year he threw himself out of his window ( son ) as he'd argued with his g/f and ( although banned) took the car and damaged 3 neighbours cars. Has always been aggressive with me ( am single mum and he's a bully imo ). So I got new fence last year at the back due to the old one being knackered. It's 6ft so I thought I'll have as little to do with him as possible plus he has aggressive dog ( I had a 3 yr old dd). All fine then his dad rings me demanding why I haven't consulted him ( dad) and sensing his old knackered fence back ( builder had taken to tip as it was about 20 years old and wrecked)

OP posts:
thirdfiddle · 19/04/2019 16:58

It's not about who installed it it's about who owns/is responsible for the boundary. As you say, deeds.

S1naidSucks · 19/04/2019 16:58

I don't know if he DID install the original fence fwiw. I need to check my deeds

Oh wow! 😮 You didn’t think to check before taking down the fence?!

Original poster
Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 16:58

Thanks S1- I'm also worried about any possible repercussions, hoping someone will put my mind at rest

OP posts:
Sunonthepatio · 19/04/2019 16:59

You are the problem here.

LostInShoebiz · 19/04/2019 17:00

Unless you post the sale contract or deeds, no one can set your mind at rest.

Original poster
Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 17:00

S1 no I didn't. Like I said it was all broken and dangerous. What's that saying repent at leisure- not only has the fence been burnt now my fingers have too

OP posts:
slipperywhensparticus · 19/04/2019 17:01

Keep your child in if his dog Invades your garden call the dog warden

TheInvestigator · 19/04/2019 17:02

Did you even go and discuss it with them?

People either instal posts on their side of the boundary and put up whatever fence they like, or they speak to their neighbour before messing with the boundary.

Even if it turns out that the boundary is your responsibility, you still should have warned them.

You're completely out of line here.

Passthecherrycoke · 19/04/2019 17:02

Also I have to say the whole ownership of boundaries to the left thing is a bit of a myth. Most boundaries are shared, and you either share the cost or the person who wants the fence the most bears it.

Pieceofpurplesky · 19/04/2019 17:02

A horrible situation. Thanks

DanielRicciardosSmile · 19/04/2019 17:06

Also I have to say the whole ownership of boundaries to the left thing is a bit of a myth. Most boundaries are shared, and you either share the cost or the person who wants the fence the most bears it.

Definitely the case here at least. DH made a point of checking with the solicitors when we bought the house and they confirmed the boundaries to left and right are both shared (although bizarrely the boundary at the bottom is ours).

S1naidSucks · 19/04/2019 17:06

Good luck, OP. It’s horrible having bad neighbours, so you definitely have my sympathy on that. I hope you get the fence issue sorted.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 19/04/2019 17:07

Bizarrely as it's across the backs of the gardens of two neighbours, so I'd have thought if any boundary was shared it would be that one, but no.

Original poster
Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 17:08

Pic

Neighbours burnt my fence
OP posts:
PristineCondition · 19/04/2019 17:10

Put a new fence up alongside his but completely on your land

Passthecherrycoke · 19/04/2019 17:11

His fence is gone, OP had it taken down and disposed of

Original poster
Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 17:11

Pristine - wish i'dve done that in the first place

OP posts:
MitziTheTabbyIsMyOverlord · 19/04/2019 17:17

Poor you, OP. they sound awful. is moving an option?

Billben · 19/04/2019 17:39

Also I have to say the whole ownership of boundaries to the left thing is a bit of a myth

True. At our last house all the fences surrounding the property were jointly owned with the neighbours.

Original poster
Mamalicious16 · 19/04/2019 17:42

BILL from what I can make out on the deeds it looks like it 8s a shared boundary

OP posts:
Foxmuffin · 19/04/2019 17:44

Who cares who paid for the original fence, it was knackered and got replaced at someone else’s expense. Why on earth would anyone take issue with that?!

Even if it was his fence, to take any kind of legal action you’d had to prove a loss, how can you prove a loss when you’ve had a knackered fence replaced with a brand new one.

He sounds like a complete idiot. I don’t know what to suggest but you have my sympathy.

Passthecherrycoke · 19/04/2019 17:45

I don’t think she’s worried about legal action, she’s worried about him coming round and kicking her door in

Foxmuffin · 19/04/2019 17:49

I get that - but all the responses are quoting the law. He’s pissed off now and it’s a moot point. What’s done is done. Maybe go and apologise OP. Can you afford to replace the fence with one of a height approved by him? Or appeal to his better nature and offer to contribute? You shouldn’t have to, but might it pacify him?

InspectorClouseauMNdivision · 19/04/2019 17:50

Also I have to say the whole ownership of boundaries to the left thing is a bit of a myth

Mine is to my right when looking into the farden, so yeah.

If you can't see it on deeds, ask the other neigbours

Theyellowsquare · 19/04/2019 17:50

Are there any "T" marks on the plans in the deeds. The inward facing ones indicate that they are your responsibility.

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