Complaining to neighbour?

[gruffalomom]

We border to 4 other gardens. With one we share just a single fence panel and when we moved in 3 years ago it was badly broken.

We replaced it last summer.

We noticed this last couple of weeks the new panel is damaged in the lower half. Q couple of large cracks and the base strip is broken off. All pushing our way suggesting impact from their side.

They have two primary age children so I'm assuming balls are being kicked into the fence or similar.

Would we be unreasonable to ask them to be more careful or the new panel?

I know kids should be kids in their gardens and we have two boys of our own who aren't far off the age they will be kicking football's too..

Don't want to constantly be forking out for new fences! (boundary ownership is bot defined for any of us on our deeds and plans - frustratingly!)

Bit of an assumption. Animals, flaws in wood, contact with ground/plant/damp could all be factors.

One of the strips of wood is broken in the middle pointing our way about 1 foot on the ground.

I see your point, but I can't imagine it could be damp or an animal

Don't assume though. You can only ask the kids not to kick a ball against the fence, if you have actually witnessed them do this.

To be honest if a ball was being kicked against the fence, you'd hear it.

Id just pop round and ask if they could have a look at the fence from their side to see if they can work out what's happening to the fence.. You've looked from yours and can't see anything obvious so you thought it be worth asking them.. Maybe they have a spare 5 mins for you to have a look... You'd like to get it repaired but you want to know what the problem is... Etc etc.

A bit of disingenuousness goes a long way

That's a nice way to do it display thanks.

We wouldn't hear necessarily as we are out at work so we don't get much time in the garden, so we are guessing.

Will take that advice, Thank you!