To need to know etiquette ASAP?

[windyfence]

Sorry for the aibu post.
Quick question. Fence between us and neighbours has fallen down. We are not on great terms with them as they’re pretty antisocial, lots of noise and arguments.
He’s just shouted over the fence that he will pop in to talk re getting the fence fixed.
The fence is their fence. We have deeds to show this.
If he asks us to pay half then we don’t need to right?
We are in no financial position to replace a fence that isn’t ours.
They have a big dog that’s not particularly friendly that’s currently bounding round our garden.
What’s the etiquette please?

Tempted just to pop a copy of the deeds through his door, explain it is his fence, and say he’s welcome to access our property when installing new fence.

Any update

Don't agree to pay for something which isn't yours

I wouldn't pop anything through the door, much better to get him to pop over and discuss face to face imo. Less opportunity for misunderstandings.

I would reply to the text saying you have checked your deeds and it shows it is his fence, but if the guys fixing the fence need access, you are ok with that.

Why don't you take a photo of the deeds and send them to him by text?

Message him back and say "You're welcome to pop over to discuss a convenient time for both of us for you to get your fence fixed"

Then you can bring up the deeds when he comes back and argues with you. Interesting that he has chosen to text you, by getting the number from a neighbour rather than actually talking to you

Send a photo of the deed, but with careful wording like "Thanks so much for getting in touch. We're guessing you're just after a time or day suitable for having it fixed as our deeds in the attached picture show it's your fence. Any time/ day suits us apart from..... Just give us some heads up when it will be, many thanks again..."

He sounds like he is expecting some sort of contribution! No way would I be paying for his fence, especially since you have the deeds showing which are your responsibility.

OP he probably just wants access to your garden - it'll need fixing both sides, and you'll have to let him out of your garden after.
If he suggests payment, then you point at the fences on the other side of your garden and simply say "that's our boundary fence, we pay for that, we don't pay for this". Simple, don't go getting paperwork out, it's ridiculous.

I’d assume he wants you to contribute otherwise he wouldn’t be trying to meet with you! Stick to your guns and don’t be manipulated into paying anything

I'd be inclined to talk to him pretending you're assumption is him wanting to have access to fix it.

Go in first with a "just give us a heads up of the day, but that's fine to have access into our garden to fix it."

And when he comes back with a ' bit you need to pay half' say, "oh really? I'm pretty sure that's your fence though? One sec, let me just find the deeds to check! .... yep! Ours is the other side! (Insert photo of deeds) but yeah, just give us a rough idea for access!"

Just text back that if he needs access to your garden that he should just let you know so your dog is out of the way. It sounds like he’s hoping you’ll offer to pay.

'Not sure if your aware, but this side is your responsibility to fix'

Thanks

And then go mad at No.12 for passing your phone number on without your consent!!!

I'd text it rather than call too.

Just text saying
‘not sure why you need to discuss having your fence replaced?’

Text back "hiya, if your joiners need access, it's no problem at all - we understand it'll take a few days of upheaval for you to sort it all out. Thanks again"

Just ring him up and see what he says. If he just wants access for builders, all good.

I'd go with @littleyikes's "just give us a heads up of the day, but that's fine to have access into our garden to fix it."

And maybe a 'bit worried about ours on the other side last night'

'Hi - no problems if you need to access our garden to fix your fence!'

Yeah just text what SpanishFly suggested. Maybe add on - “.... bloody wind eh! Lucky for us none of our panels blew down - we’re skint at the mo!”

I wouldn't be very happy at my number being given out. I'd ignore.

Oh God don't say you're skint. Irrelevant whether true or not.

Have you called him yet?

FGS JFRH

I always pay to fix my own fence, particularly has neighbours have their own fence behind it.

But elderly neightbour’s fence blew down and I paid half, comply because I know it was a big bill and I really wanted it fixed. He was very grateful. But he is lovely man, I wouldn’t have done it if he was an arse.