My elderly dad's neighbours are demanding money

[BruhWhy]

About two months ago, some local kids set fire to my dad's fence that runs from the front of his house to the left, and joins onto his neighbour's fence that separates his and their back gardens.

It was terrifying for him, it spread and caught his wheelie bins alight and nearly set alight his mobility car and shed. The fire service had to attend to get it under control at 1am. Confirmed arson, the same kids had been doing it all week.

A few days after this happened he got a note through the door from his neighbour to the left asking him when he was going to replace their fence panel that was burned. He went to speak to them and told them that they'd have to wait a while because he's a disabled pensioner and he hasn't got fence panel money spare, they weren't happy but accepted it.

They've since come to speak to him three more times getting more irate each time because their dog keeps escaping through the damaged fence.

I don't think he should be replacing their fence panel AT ALL, it's their fence and it was damaged by arson, not my dad being careless, if it was my dad's fault I could understand but he didn't set it alight. This is all causing him massive anxiety.

I'm going to go round and speak to them Monday and tell them to piss off, but am AIBU? Is it his responsibility because the fire started on his property?

Log everything - dates times etc So much easier if you have to take it further

You are definitely not being unreasonable. They are trying to take advantage of him. Hopefully a firm talk from you will make them back off.

Your poor Dad

Your dad and his neighbours both had their fence destroyed/damaged by arson - I don't see how that's your dad's responsibility!

They're definitely trying their luck. Your poor dad!

Ffs it’s one fence panel. They can pick one up for thirty pound ish. They shouldn’t be harassing an elderly man, if they can afford that then they either pay for one, speak to their insurance or the HA. You are right to get involved.

Poor man an arson and a fire and now this! No bloody empathy have they.

This. Your poor dad. Just be very stressful for him.

Must not just!

*cant afford

Tell them to contact their own insurance company and pass on details of the housing association. That your Dad isn't the owner of the property so not responsible for anything. If they are stroppy warn them that any more bothering him and the police will become involved.

Tell them firmly they need to claim on their insurance and give them the credit reference number

This is what you need to tell your dads neighbours.
As it’s your fence the housing association won’t replace or repair it, you will need to do that yourselves. I’m sure you can claim on your house insurance as it was a crime. Please stop asking dad, there’s absolutely no reason why he would replace someone else’s fence.

I would be extremely firm with these people and absolutely clear that replacing their fence is in no way your dad's responsibility and they won't be getting a penny from him. They too are victim of crime, they can log the incident and then take it up with their insurance company. If they think they don't own the fence and that it's part of your dad's property, then they can take it up with the HA, albeit if they don't own it then they don't have a leg to stand on trying to 'force' the owner (HA, not your Dad) to replace it. Either way, they are absolutely to stop bothering your dad and I would report any further requests to the police.

I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and think they're under the same misunderstanding that your dad was that he is responsible, but somehow I doubt that, and they're just out for what they can get.

Has the HA fixed your dad's fence yet? If so, you need to tell the neighbours that it was them that arranged it, not your dad, and if not, it could be worth telling them to contact the HA as they might consider adding the extra panel on for a small fee when they are fixing your dad's part.

But either way, it:s the HA they need to speak to. Tell your dad to direct them back to the HA every time!

You should keep a close eye on these neighbours. Tell your dad not to give them a penny. Ever. They're extremely cheeky.

Their responsibility to replace their fence and keep their dog in. Via their insurance if they wish.

A crime reference number can still be generated, it it wasn't at the time. Phone the customer service line of your dad's local police. Then as said give that to them. Write out all the points, HA declaration, it was a criminal act, their dog/their problem, their fence etc, so you don't get emotional. Personally I'd write it all down including the harrasment bit and be ready to hand it to them. They've got no empathy and compassion. You might get an aggressive response. So keep things factual.

No that sounds unusual to me. Each fence is normally owned by someone. Where we live the custom is that if the posts are on your side, you own it. Hence for the three fences round our garden, one is ours and the other two are the neighbours'.

OP says the damaged fence is not her Dad's so the neighbours are being CF

I’d be telling them to fuck off and leave your poor old dad alone!!

He didn’t damage it and it’s not his panel. They can replace the panel. Cheeky fuckers.

I’m glad he has you on his side. I would gladly go round and tell them to jog on!!!!

Honestly tell them to piss off and stop harassing an elderly gentleman. Keep redirecting them to the housing association. It's their fence so they can deal with it.

They sound lovely! Harassing an elderly man to replace something that's their responsibility.

If it were my Dad I'd go round and explain it's their fence to sort out, if you don't want to approach them I'd contact the housing association to sort it out.

Has your dad's HA fixed his fence? Did he report to the police at the time?

Solicitor here. The fence was damaged by an independent third party so nothing to do with your dad. He would only be liable if it was a result of his negligence or he had caused the nuisance resulting in the damage.
In fact because the fence belongs to the HA not the neighbour they don't even have the locus standi to bring a claim.
They want it repaired? They need to ask the HA.

Just tell them no and to stop harassing an elderly gent.

Has the HA fixed your dad's fence yet? If so, you need to tell the neighbours that it was them that arranged it, not your dad, and if not, it could be worth telling them to contact the HA as they might consider adding the extra panel on for a small fee when they are fixing your dad's part

I work for a HA. It's a struggle to get repairs we are responsible for done in a reasonable time. That is especially true for fencing, We get chancers like your Dad's neighbours on the phone all the time, demanding that we fix their fence or guttering or whatever. Even if they offer to pay it 's not going to happen.

If the neighbours have a mortgage they have to have buildings insurance, that's who they should claim it from. I suspect their excess is way more than the cost of a single fence panel. My advise would be to talk to them and if the harassment carries on report them to the police.

Yes redirect your dad's neighbours to the Housing Association about the fence. If you want to be "nice" offer them the crime number for their insurance claim. Also drop into the convo that you've taken advice that their behaviour constitutes harassment towards your father and if they don't stop it might impact on them as a dispute if they sell their house (unless they are private rented!)

They are definitely not 50\50

Each owner has a side that they are responsible for. The need to pay if is their fence. They are cheeky fuckers.