AIBU to mend neighbour’s fence?

[MixedPeel27]

Neighbour is responsible for the fence between us (we are two halves of a semi). About 2 years ago the fence was damaged in a storm and panels have been propped up since then. Neighbour apologised for the state of it and said she would fix as soon as she had the money.

Just before Christmas 2 panels came away completely and there has been a gap, which the neighbour has filled in with assorted debris to stop her dogs and ours crossing over.

We get on well enough. She’s apologised repeatedly that she can’t afford to fix it and I’ve never complained or made a fuss because she’s a lovely lady and I appreciate her situation.

But a couple of weeks ago there was more bad weather and another panel fell and destroyed several of my shrubs, then one of our dogs got through the gap and I just thought I’ve had enough of this.

I’ve had quotes to fix the damaged sections myself (not the whole fence, just the middle 5 bits) and am happy to pay it. I messaged neighbour to say I’d like to do this for our security and to stop further damage and am thinking of putting it up on our side of the boundary ie entirely on our land so that we aren’t interfering with her own fence etc. or blurring the lines about who is responsible for what.

She hasn’t even replied and I’m wondering if I’ve been unreasonable or come across as PA? Not sure if I should just go ahead anyway?

It's nice of you to offer. I get she may feel a bit upset as feels rushed but... she had 2 years and it clearly has been very low on her list of priorities.
I dont know where you stand legally if technivcally it is part of her property- any chance you could just do a fence on your side?

I’d chase her up. Maybe in person. Don’t just start the work though that might not be taken well.

That's what I'm thinking of doing - put it up on our side, leave her broken fence and barrier as it is, just put something either end of our new section to close the gap between our fence and hers.

If it's on our side then surely there can't be any dispute - although I wonder if she will just clear away all of her fence and this will be come the new boundary? But then tbh even if that happens I'm not that bothered about a few inches.

Although the fence is hers, you're responsible for making sure your dogs can't escape. So if she can't or won't mend the fence, you need to get something sorted on your side instead.

Personally I’d just put up a fence outside and let her know, and say something like it’s due to dogs. She possibly feels like she needs to contribute now and does not have the money,

It’s your responsibility to keep your animals contained, she can have whatever fence she likes or none.

It won't change the boundary.
I would chase it up again with her before you do anything and if you are concerned speak to a sollicitor about boundaries etc.
But you can do whatever you want on your side- we need to make a fence on our side and our neighbours fence is very low, so sogs would just walk over it and run off, we told them we will put something up and why and that was that.

Maybe she feels like she has to contribute even though you haven’t asked her too or she feels embarrassed that you are paying out when it’s her responsibility.

I realise she might feel embarrassed so I phrased my message as relaxed as possible to try not to make her feel bad. (Or so I thought)

Just said I've decided I'd like to put this up for the dogs' security and to protect the garden from any damage.

Made clear it's going to be our fence so our cost and our responsibility, nothing for her to worry about.

I would get some photos of the state of the fence just to cover yourself, then get it fixed if you can afford to.

I wouldn't put up a fence in front of that one. You'll lose space in your garden and what if the old one is eventually ripped down? She will have part your garden.

I wonder if she is concerned because she would be left with the broken one. Perhaps have a face to face conversation with her. Would you be willing to replace the original fence rather than put your own up if you are going to pay anyway?