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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can't afford to fix fence

113 replies

mommaneedssleep · 22/03/2022 19:50

Been going through a tough time financially recently (like many people!). Our electricity bill has more than doubled, nursery and school club have both put their prices up. Basically we are being stretched further than we can manage. We've been trying to cut down where we can and have done some drastic measures to bring bills down such as getting rid of one car ect.
Our fence broke in the bad storms we had in February, we live in a long line of Victorian terraced houses and the fence that has broken is our responsibility. With everything else currently going on we just can't afford to get it iced. It requires 2 new fence panels and 3 of the posts. Neighbour has come round tonight asking when we are getting it fixed. I explained that at the moment we aren't able to but will try to do it over the summer. They said that as the weather is getting nicer they now need to paint their side and get their trellises planted ect so need it doing asap.
I understand that it must be annoying for them, but I really can't afford to do it at the moment. To be clear there is no gap or fallen fences ect, the fence is still standing but is just bowed (if that's the right word??) to one side.

OP posts:
beautifullymad · 22/03/2022 20:21

@TheFlis12345

Unless there is a specific covenant you are not obligated to have a fence at all! And if you have one they have no legal right to paint it or attach trellis or anything else to it. If they are so bothered about it they can put a new fence up their side of the boundary.
This
Tohaveandtohold · 22/03/2022 20:21

It’s your fence, you don’t have to fix it or let’s just say, you can fix it whenever it’s convenient.
And their excuse of wanting to paint your fence or attach trellis, if they are insisting it’s your fence and your responsibility then they have no right to paint or attach anything to it. Because if the things they do cause another damage to it, you’ll be responsible for fixing it. Tell them to buzz off

HandlebarLadyTash · 22/03/2022 20:22

Make it clear that attaching trellis to your fence will be a big NO.

Curioushorse · 22/03/2022 20:24

I realise you've said money is tight....

....but fencing is one of those weird things in life where doing it yourself is wildly, wildly cheaper. The same thing happened with us a few years ago, and we simply couldn't afford it. However, we watched a clip on wickes (I think it was). And, honestly, it wasn't that hard- and I'm an absolute idiot. I feel like it came to a couple of hundred pounds instead of thousands. It might be cheaper because your fence panels might be reusable- it might just be the posts you need to replace.

Pissyduck · 22/03/2022 20:27

Tell them that you don't know when you will have the money to do it, so if they are that bothered about putting up trellises they will need to fix the fence themselves.

TibetanTerrah · 22/03/2022 20:28

Their attitude would seriously piss me off. Id be tempted to drop a note saying you will do it when you can but as they kindly pointed out, it is your fence so they are not permitted to paint it or attach anything to it. But they are of course welcome to put up their own fence and do as they please with it Wink

EvilPea · 22/03/2022 20:31

@Curioushorse

I realise you've said money is tight....

....but fencing is one of those weird things in life where doing it yourself is wildly, wildly cheaper. The same thing happened with us a few years ago, and we simply couldn't afford it. However, we watched a clip on wickes (I think it was). And, honestly, it wasn't that hard- and I'm an absolute idiot. I feel like it came to a couple of hundred pounds instead of thousands. It might be cheaper because your fence panels might be reusable- it might just be the posts you need to replace.

This ^ More so if you have the fence posts they just slide into.

However. First problem most people have, is getting one. Not many cars fit a 6ft fence in.

Sparkle123r · 22/03/2022 20:32

As has been said already, I would be narked if a neighbour demanded a fence be fixed that is not their responsibility. I can understand a little if there was no fence at all, but you've explained that is not the case.

I'd let them know next time you see them that it's low priority and that when it is fixed they do not have permission to paint or fix anything to your fence.

FangsForTheMemory · 22/03/2022 20:34

I would tell them you're actually planning to plant a hedge as it's better for the environment and that if they specifically want a fence, they can put it in themselves.

Floralnomad · 22/03/2022 20:36

If they ask again just tell them it’s a low priority for you at present and will get done at some point in the future . Our neighbour wants us to replace a fence , it’s old but was perfectly ok until their dog started chewing great chunks out of it , we just patch as necessary as I have absolutely no intention of paying £thousands for their dog to ruin it .

CremeEggThief · 22/03/2022 20:36

Just stay calm and firm but in a polite way, as you have been doing. If you haven't got the money there's nothing they can do, simple as that.

EvilPea · 22/03/2022 20:36

@TibetanTerrah

Their attitude would seriously piss me off. Id be tempted to drop a note saying you will do it when you can but as they kindly pointed out, it is your fence so they are not permitted to paint it or attach anything to it. But they are of course welcome to put up their own fence and do as they please with it Wink
This is the attitude I’d have to be honest.

I rent and our neighbour moans and moans and moans about our fence Everytime I see her. I hide when i can. She does this “oh my god, look at that fence” in this dramatic way, like it’s a tragedy.

One of the panels blew down in the storms. We could have called the landlord, had them come round, scratch their heads, drunk our tea. Wait in for their workman to, come round, scratch their heads, drink our tea before coming back the next day to repair it.

Or, we could have fixed it ourselves. because she had moaned and moaned (and I’m really petty) we didn’t buy a new one, we repaired it ourselves just because we knew it would annoy her more.

Theimpossiblegirl · 22/03/2022 20:43

It might be worth asking your local church or men's shed group if they have anyone that could help. Not for your neighbours, for you. I would probably be using old doors just to piss them off.

WiddlinDiddling · 22/03/2022 20:44

Yup id be round to thank them very kindly for putting you in the picture as to whose fence it is. As you are the sole owner of the fence, you'll be replacing the lot with a hedge - and as you own the remaining fence, they need to take down their trellis ASAP and stop painting it.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/03/2022 20:46

Oh well if they’re in a rush they can fix it- we don’t have the finances at the moment, have you heard of the cost of living crisis? Shut them up with that.

LookMoreCloselier · 22/03/2022 20:48

If its just bowed over can you fix it yourself? Ours completely blew over and we needed 2 new posts but the panels could be reused.

LightSpeeds · 22/03/2022 20:48

I'm pretty sure that, by law, there doesn't need to be a fence or any other thing separating gardens - so you do not have to fix the fence.

If they want a nice fence, they're entitled to erect their own fence on their own property!

I fell out with my neighbours at the back because they wanted the fence replaced with something better and wanted me to pay half. They said 'our dog keeps getting in your garden' (through a gap) but it's their responsibility to keep it off my property, not mine.

They'd already made me pay a lot of money to cut down a tree, weren't the slightest bit grateful and thought I had a never ending pot of money for all their garden whims! Hmm

rwalker · 22/03/2022 20:48

Tell them you are doing without a fence and will be taking it down shortly

Againstmachine · 22/03/2022 20:48

Unless your covenant says you need a fence and mainly once the developer has left aren't enforceable, you can actually signify the boundary with a piece of string of you wish.

godmum56 · 22/03/2022 20:50

@TheFlis12345

Unless there is a specific covenant you are not obligated to have a fence at all! And if you have one they have no legal right to paint it or attach trellis or anything else to it. If they are so bothered about it they can put a new fence up their side of the boundary.
this absolutely. If the fence is actually dangerous and someone might be injured then you may HAVE to do something, but you can quite legitimately just remove what is unsafe and leave a gap. If there are animals or children then its the responsibility of the owner/keeper to keep them where they should be but unless there is a covenant in your deeds then you don't have to fence. Also (there are covenants in my deeds) even if there is a covenant, not just anyone can enforce it, it has to be the person who set up the covenant or their agent....so eg if the builder set up the covenant and they have gone out of business and not named an agent then no one can enforce it.
FlamingoQueen · 22/03/2022 20:51

It is your fence so it’s up to you when you fix it. If they want it done sooner, they can pay! Decent neighbours would offer to pay half.

godmum56 · 22/03/2022 20:51

trellis and paint???????? cheeky sod!

BulletTrain · 22/03/2022 20:53

Just repeat that you will fix it when able, fencers are booked up for weeks anyway, and if they really want one to paint and hang shit on they can put their own in on their side.

SafelySoftly · 22/03/2022 20:58

Do you need to mend the whole thing, if it’s just a bit leaning can’t you just prop it up with some wood?

TiddleTaddleTat · 22/03/2022 20:58

If you do end up budgeting to do this yourself I’ve found wickes best for this and will deliver. Still not cheap (ours is £500 for 5 panels, 6 posts, gravel boards and postcrete inc delivery) but much cheaper than getting fencers in.

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