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Original poster

Neighbour won't half in for fence

476 replies

thunderandbangs · 18/03/2021 20:36

I spoke to my neighbour over the back from me about a year ago to see if she'd be willing to half in for the back fence (fence at back of her garden, fence at back of ours) and she said yes that would be fine and to give her a quote when we had it.

Then Covid happened so we have just gotten round to it. I went over to give her quote (150 each) the other night. She then said that actually the fence at the back was our priority to fix and pay for as the posts are on her side of the garden! Confused

I said I don't think that's how it works and she said that the two fences at the left and right of her garden were her responsibility as the posts were in the neighbours garden therefore she gets the 'pretty' side of the fence meaning it's her responsibility. But as the fence at the back of the garden posts are in her garden and we get the 'pretty' side of the fence it is our responsibility.

She said she can't just go around halfing in for the upkeep of other peoples things and when the time comes she won't ask her neighbours to on either side either.

AIBU to think this is absolutely bonkers? Trying to find out if there's anything I can do to ensure she pays half as that is not how it works. She has a responsibility as well as we do.

OP posts:
en0la · 18/03/2021 21:52

@TableFlowerss

Love how everyone says ‘just check your deeds....’ as if they’re just a click away online.

I wouldn’t jade a ducking clue where to begin in checking the deeds of my house....Hmm

They are, you can order a pdf from the land registry.
Standrewsschool · 18/03/2021 21:55

@Melroses

Why the hell would you pay for the best side to face your neighbours?

Because the posts have to be on your land, so you lose the 4 inches or so between the fence panel and the edge of the post around your garden.

You could always put the fence four inches further into your land so the nice side is on your side.
PanamaPattie · 18/03/2021 21:56

Put up a fence that looks good on both sides. Concrete posts with slot in panels - problem solved.

saraclara · 18/03/2021 21:58

@TableFlowerss they really are just a click away. Well maybe three clicks and a credit card away.

www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

TableFlowerss · 18/03/2021 22:00

[quote saraclara]@TableFlowerss they really are just a click away. Well maybe three clicks and a credit card away.

www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry[/quote]
I thought they’d be in a bank vault somewhere 😂

PorcelainCatStack · 18/03/2021 22:01

On our land registry plan there is no fence ownership markings. Means we have to figure it out ourselves Grin There’s no law about who gets what side either, that’s an urban myth/long held weird assumption. We all have concrete posts here that the fence panel slides into so posts are exactly on the border. We’re soon going to replace our posts and panels but we are paying. For one side because I like them and they’re good neighbours. On the other I’d never get a bean from them so no point asking. And I will have the pretty sides too, perk of paying.

userxx · 18/03/2021 22:01

If you're desperate to replace the fence then pay for it yourself, I paid just under £2k for new fences and concrete posts, didn't cross my mind to ask the neighbours to chip in.

jessstan2 · 18/03/2021 22:10

You're unreasonable and you don't say 'half in', that means nothing. What you are trying to say is she will not pay half the cost. Whatever, she is correct, she doesn't have to.

safariboot · 18/03/2021 22:11

@SingClearlySweetly

I’m sure the posts are on your side, when you install the fence, or how would you ever replace them ? That’s where the post holder, or concrete goes. In your garden.
The entire fence above ground should be physically on the owner's land (unless it's jointly owned). Foundations underground may extend under the neighbouring land. But that doesn't say anything about where the panels are. The owner can have the boards right against the boundary and the posts on their side, but they can equally well have the back of the posts against the boundary and the boards on their side. (As mentioned, in practice though not in law giving up a few inches of their land in doing so.)
duffmcstockings · 18/03/2021 22:11

Whoever wants a fence, pays for a fence. You can't force someone to buy a fence they can't afford/don't want.

Rachie1973 · 18/03/2021 22:11

@thunderandbangs

I'll get deeds, think hubby knows where they are but he's nightshirt tonight. I will go over tomorrow morning before work and give it once last shot trying to convince the girl.
You’d be told by me to take a running jump.

I wouldn’t care if it was mine or yours. When I want to buy a fence I’ll buy one.

saleorbouy · 18/03/2021 22:13

Your neighbour is correct posts go on the owners side. Check your deeds for confirmation of the boundaries of your property.
It is not necessary or fair for your neighbour to contribute to boundaries that are yours and should be maintained by you.

SeasonFinale · 18/03/2021 22:15

@thunderandbangs

I'll get deeds, think hubby knows where they are but he's nightshirt tonight. I will go over tomorrow morning before work and give it once last shot trying to convince the girl.
Do not harass your neighbour.

When you know whose fence it is then you can proceed. If it yours you pay. If it hers it is entirely up to her If she wants to replace it.

There is no "half in" in law.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 18/03/2021 22:17

They mean the wooden battons going horizontally across the panels

How come people are talking about having to have 'access' from your side and losing several inches if you have the pretty side, then? Confused Surely the only 'access' you'd need would be from directly above, once the posts are in, wouldn't it?!

Also, it is indeed true that you can buy a copy of the deeds record and download it in a few minutes, but the LR website itself specifically says that most boundaries are not completely set in stone and the deeds will be unlikely to show who owns the hedge/fence/wall - and/or whether the boundary runs along your side of the hedge (or whatever), along their side or right down the middle.

emilyfrost · 18/03/2021 22:18

@thunderandbangs

I'll get deeds, think hubby knows where they are but he's nightshirt tonight. I will go over tomorrow morning before work and give it once last shot trying to convince the girl.
“The girl”? She’s a woman, not a child.

There’s no point trying to convince her of anything. If it’s your fence, you pay for it. If it’s hers, she can replace it whenever she wants to, and not on your say so.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 18/03/2021 22:19

Whoever wants a fence, pays for a fence. You can't force someone to buy a fence they can't afford/don't want.

I think this is the brass tacks of the question.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 18/03/2021 22:22

Our neighbour put the fence up so she had the nice side...our side was mank

But i would agree that checking the deeds (if possible) would be a good start

Our deeds show who owns left and right but not the back, which is a bit of a pain if something does come up, but nothing has so far

alexdgr8 · 18/03/2021 22:25

anyone know what is the cheapest form of non-see-through fence, quite long, sloping ground, will need materials and labour, ie fitting.
also faces a public area so needed for security. but have little money.
any idea gratefully received.
thanks, MNers.

LifesLittleDeciders · 18/03/2021 22:26

You’re neighbour is right and i agree with her.

I agree with her because I’ve just handed over cash to our neighbour to do HIS boundary fence out of courtesy and what we’ve gotten is untreated, unpainted and badly fitted fences that he handmade out of pallets... they are extremely wonky and there’s gaps between the posts and the handmade fence. It doesn’t surprise me really as he did say he’s going to put a shed up in his garden so the shorty fence won’t be seen from his side anyway.. I am fuming but haven’t got the balls to say so.

Kimye4eva · 18/03/2021 22:29

@NichyNoo

Neither of the two houses I have owned (one built in 1998 and one built in 1920) have had any indication on the deeds about boundaries or fences.
Same. It’s really not uncommon either.
SquirtleSquad · 18/03/2021 22:29

@thunderandbangs

I'll get deeds, think hubby knows where they are but he's nightshirt tonight. I will go over tomorrow morning before work and give it once last shot trying to convince the girl.
The girl? Maybe best to wait until her parents are home. And convince them of what exactly? They're perfectly entitled to leave it regardless of ownership, or mark the boundary with a piece of string should they wish.
PigletJohn · 18/03/2021 22:30

@UrAWizHarry

She's most likely right. Fences are usually installed with the 'nicer' side facing the property of the owner.
this is recent fashion, but not a general rule.

Drive down any road. look at the fences facing the road.

The posts and rails are on the owner's side.

If you wanted to climb over a fence, you would find it harder to climb over the sheer side.

Cherrysoup · 18/03/2021 22:31

Land registry deeds often don’t have the T denoting possession/responsibility. If you maintain the fence, it becomes your responsibility. Most people don’t have their deeds, the bank/mortgage lender does.

Mucklemore · 18/03/2021 22:33

The deeds don't really matter - if she doesn't want to pay she doesn't have to. There's no legal responsibility to have a fence.

You want a new fence then you have to pay for it unless she's willing to pay.

HyacynthBucket · 18/03/2021 22:34

Where I live at least the convention is that one neighbour has responsibility for the boundary fence on their left and the other for the fence on their left, and so on, down the road (so one per house). And the one whose fence it is gives the "pretty" side to the neighbour.