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?

Times like this, you wonder whether the NDNs are being extremely thick or are just disingenuous fuckers.

Their behaviour is outrageous and I hope you are able to set them straight!

It's nothing to do with your dad whatsoever. Some kids committed arson that damaged your dad's property and this neighbour's fence.

I'd send a letter before action and tell them that if they persist in their harassment of a disabled pensioner that legal action will be taken against them.

Arseholes.

Not his circus, not his monkey.

You are right. Rarely 50/50 See deeds. If a T on your side of the fence then that is your side. Google for full details of how to tell.

I was worried that because the fire started on his side they'd have a point

If he'd been responsible for starting it they may well have done, but he wasn't so they don't

Knowing that HAs often slam new stuff in regardless of "who's fault it was", I suspect the neighbours are hoping they'll get a new fence on the back of this, but really the only people to take it up with are the insurers or the people who caused the fire ... and good luck with the second

A similar case of responsibility was in our local paper many years ago. A lady with a thatched roof cottage had not insured her house. A fire from her neighbours house spread to her roof and burnt her house down. She did not have insurance as it is costly to insure houses with thatched roofs. She was trying to claim from her neighbour as the fire started from there. The court ruled she could not claim from her neighbour as it was her responsibility to insure her house.

It started on his property but it was arson. So NDN's fence was also destroyed by arson. Therefore the only people responsible here are the twats who started the fire, not your DF.

Where we live all the deeds say they are party fences so 50/50. People have historically adopted ‘sides’ but that’s not the lawful position. Why would you just post on MN stating something like that as a legal truth when it isn’t universal? It’s not helpful.

They're not just cheeky, they're arseholes. Tell them I'd they bother him again you'll report them for harassment.

Hi OP - a few years ago the neighbors of my elderly parents said that a roof tile had fallen from my mom and dad's property and damaged their car so could they kindly cough up the costs of the repairs. They got a bit shitty something in the end I went to see them and told them that they would have to claim on their car insurance and to stop harassing two pensioners.

They said they would take them to court blah blah. Still waiting for that seven years later
Tell the neighbors to go and see the little shits that started the fire.

The CF's!!

If it's their fence then they need to pay for it.

It's not like your Dad asked the little bastards to set fire to it!!

Might be worth getting a solicitor to write a letter explaining that it is their fence and your Dad is not at fault as he did not set fire to it.

It'll probs cost £50 but at least then they will know where they stand officially.

Why in the world do they think it's your dad's responsibility?! Really confused.

These neighbours are ridiculous. Your dad didn’t set fire to the fences and it’s not his problem either. They also have a responsibility to keep their dog contained in their property. Legally no fences are required so this is totally their problem to solve themselves.

If the neighbour owns the house they should have buildings insurance;the fence should be covered if it's the result of a crime.They are trying it on.If they want your dads landlord to replace it then they should contact the HA themselves.

Even if your dad owned his home, it wouldn’t be his responsibility. I hope you get these chancers off his back pdq.

YANBU They shouldn’t be harassing your dad . I’m not sure the HA will get involved as fencing is usually down to the tenant to sort out . I hope you get it sorted out though and once fence panel won’t cost them a lot to replace . They sound like they are being unreasonable .

Hell no. Even if it WAS your dads fence he’s not obligated to repair it! If they want to secure their property it’s down to them.
double cheeky fuckers because it’s their fence. Shame on them, trying to bully an elderly man. Tell them to fuck off.

@CoffeeWithNiles must be different round here because although we yes have groups of feral kids it's usually the bus shelters that get the brunt of the abuse. Very small town the only time I have heard of the kids being responsible for deliberately damaging someone's property was belonging to the guy who took to squirting them with a hose pipe for sitting on his wall. I've heard for few teenagers setting fire to things down the woods or in the farmers fields but 99.99% of the time it's paint or eggs thrown at house or cars or bus shelter glass smashed.

Theyre taking the mick. He didnt start the fire. Tell them to go get the money from the kids who did. Give them crime number and send them to then police who have all the information on what they need to do. Mentioning the police shold hopefully get them off his back. Taking advantage of an old man!

No, it’s often marked on the deeds/registration document which fence is yours.

CF's. :-(
I hope your Dad is ok.

your poor dad. He is as much as victim of crime as they are. I’d be so angry with them on my dads behalf.
mid there is no negligence from your dad then there is ho requirement or liability on him and therefore no need for him to pay for their fence panel. Unfortunately his neighbours will have to cough up themselves and accept it sucks to be a victim of crime and is terrible to try and rip off a disabled pensioner in the process!

It's not for your dad to pay, it's their fence. You need to go and have a word with them and tell them the council said he's not responsible for their fence.

Oh, when you go to talk with them, take them a copy of the police report "for their insurance company."