To think NDN is being CF

[Nurseamy87]

Not sure what to do about this situation!

throw away account for this post.

always got on very well with our (semi detached) next door neighbour - until the last few days.

A repair urgently needs doing to our jointly owned fence- it’s in land registry info that we are both responsible for it plus I remember the builders telling us when we bought the house from new severally years ago,

NDN claiming that they do not have any money to contribute towards this. Their lifestyle would suggest otherwise. They are saying that because of financially recovering from Christmas, they are not going to be in a position to contribute any time soon. But there is no way that the fence will survive another storm and if we leave it, and it comes down completely, then that’s going to be a much more expensive repair so I’d rather get it fixed at this stage.

In process of getting quotes for the work to be done. NDN has asked me to get several quotes and to go with the cheapest. Yes, cost is obviously a factor , but also getting the job done properly is very important. I’ve got two quotes so far but they want more. I’m back to work tomorrow on a stretch of nights so going to struggle for time to do this.

what do I do.. just get work done as soon as, and tell NDN to pay me back at end of month (knowing I prob wont see the money).

For context of work involved, the quotes I’ve had so far would mean we both pay £70 -80 each if split equally.

just difficult to accept any claims of genuine financial hardship when they are off on their next skiing holiday soon and other very affluent past times.

Put up your own fence on your side of the boundary. No need to get the neighbours involved then

if they want more quotes, they get more quotes - why should you be their secretary?

Yes, could you do this?

You can't really force them to pay if they don't want to or can't.

Personally I'd just get it fixed now if it cannot wait. Tell them the amount and leave them to pay you back.

For 80 quid I wouldn't fall out with neighbour when I wanted my garden secure.

What's your alternative? Messing around getting another quote to save a tenner or not having a fence.

😂😂😂 I’ve just had an expensive Christmas and bought a new car a few weeks before so neighbours probably thinks our lifestyle means we have money. Nope, we’ve spent quite a lot, dh’s job is at risk and I certainly wouldn’t be funding a fence when it’s winter and I’m not using the garden and neighbour decided it’s needed.

None of you is unreasonable, but you can't force them to pay. Even if you feel the repair is urgent, the fact is that the fence is still holding for now.

Is there anything in your deeds about maintaining a fence on the boundary? If not, then even if the fence falls they can still refuse to pay for a new fence.

Our neighbours' fence keeps falling at each storm, we ended up paying for repairs on our side to put an end to it.
The quickest way to fix is to pay for the repairs if you can afford it. Maybe ask them to pay whet they can even if it doesn't cover half?

They’re arguing over £70-80 but off on a skiing holiday? They’re just being dickheads. Nothing to do with affordability.

I would just protect my own property, however I could, and let them do the same. Make sure you don’t end up decreasing the size of your plot though! I would also get out of any long term situation where I’m jointly liable/responsible for anything with a neighbour. I also wouldn’t tolerate a neighbour expecting me to be their unpaid PA. That alone would have me taking steps.

if they want more quotes they get them. You’re not their PA

I would get it fixed to your satisfaction, gently let them know what you spent, and suggest they might pay next time there's an issue? That way you can stop pushing against a closed door, and leave them the option to return the favour.

Why are they asking for more quotes if they don't intend paying their share? NEVER pay on someone else's behalf unless you get something in writing first, that they intend to pay you back. Is the fence in such disrepair that it absolutely needs fixing right now, or can it wait a few weeks? Don't just go with the cheapest quote - people buy from people, so who do you feel happy with?

So they haven't said an outright no, they've said its just been Christmas so they're a bit skint, can it wait?

Perhaps because the final payment is also due on their imminent skiing holiday?

If it bothers you that much, inversely it's only another £80 I'd just pay and get it done yourself.

You do not know the ins and outs of their finances.
You cannot compel them to fix a fence.
You probably need to stop being so judgemental.

Skiing holidays are expeeeensive! If they can afford that, they can afford £80. Every home owner should have a little money set aside for emergency home repairs, the fact they say they’ve spent every penny on Christmas is, quite frankly, not your problem.

I would offer to pay now on the basis they pay you back by August 2025 - written and signed by both of you of course.

Ridiculous that you have a shared fence, this type of thing was bound to happen at one stage.

It’s not judgemental to want a shared problem fixed by both parties.

It would really put me off having a jointly owned fence - you can absolutely anticipate this kind of issue

If it's urgent, is it damage that might be recoverable on home insurance? how does that work on jointly owned?

Personally I'd be saying that I'll cover it this time. Give them a 3 month deadline for paying you back if that helps. That feels reasonable

You are probably technically correct that it would be better to get the fence repaired so as to try to alleviate the risk of further damage, but this is clearly a higher priority to you than it is to them. Unless your Deeds clearly show that a fence has to be maintained all that is legally necessary is to mark the boundary.

I couldn’t say who should be responsible for fences between me and my neighbours, but I have always maintained them as I have a dog and it’s therefore they are important to me.

I’ve never really understood the argument that because someone has managed to afford to pay for something expensive they have money available for other things. In my experience once money is spent it’s gone and I won’t have more until I next get paid.

Do you need fencing there? Take it down if it doesn't affect you having no fence.

I would expect 3 quotes as standard. I think YABU to make assumptions about their financial situation. If they say they don't have the money, then they don't. If the fence repair is critical to you, then you'll have to pay for it and hope they reimburse you at a later date.

But it is judgemental to decide, based on outside appearances, that a family are affluent enough to afford £80.

Your opinion of their financial position is irrelevant. If they won't pay for repairs then they won't pay. If it falls over and needs replacing, you still can't make them pay half. Having half the responsibility doesn't make it worth anything unless there is an imminent danger and liability. That wouldn't be common for a fence. So if they don't care, you either pay, or you erect your own fence on your land.

If families are going skiing, I think it’s a pretty safe and common sense assumption.

But that aside, how else do you think OP should resolve the situation? Do you think she should just pay for all costs going forwards as NDN claims poverty?

Having thought some more OP, I think I’d agree to just put a makeshift solution in place whilst you wait for them to save the funds. Eg pin netting over the gap. That way you haven’t resolved it fully at your cost (with no motivation their end to find the money) but can rest easy you don’t have access to each others property.

It's a safe assumption, until you ask them and they say sorry we're skint.. at which point it's cheeky fuckery to assume they are lying unless there's some backstory (presumably not as OP says they got on well until now).

And you know what assume does.

As someone else has pointed out £80 could be the last payment on that skiing holiday. Circumstances could well have changed since it was booked. Unless OP is microscopically going through their finances they have no idea of the circumstances so yes, it's judgemental.

If OP wants a fence, and neighbour claims they can't afford it then it's up to OP to decide what they want to do isn't it? They cant force them to pay.