Hostile neighbour regarding fencing

[RubyRoo29]

Sorry but it's a bit of a long one.

During the severe storms we had back in December our fence was blown down. We have started to gather quotes for a new fence. This is where the problem started. We had a contractor out this evening for a quote to which our neighbour shouted at us and him that we are not to step foot on his property. We have been nothing but good neighbours to him and have looked out for him over the last four years we have lived here as he is elderly and alone. He then went into his back garden and started blaming us for the fence falling down back in December and apparently we have been throwing weed killer into his garden and allowing others to jump over the fence into his garden. He then started shouting and swearing at us to say how dare we even consider getting the fence fixed and he will do it in his own time when he is ready despite us now being unable to allow our dog out into the garden for nearly 3
Months now due to the risks of him escaping. The whole argument got a bit heated as he was blaming us for the fence falling down in the wind. So I think my whole question here is AIBU for being so upset by the way he acted over wanting to have a fence that is secure in our garden. We are trying to determine where the boundary line is. If anyone could help that would be fantastic too. In context the fence is on our front door line if that makes sense and the good side faces us but it was put up before we moved in. Any responses would be amazing and thank you if you are still hear reading this

The entire thing has rotted so we are past the point of repair now unfortunately

just build a fence a couple of inches in on your side

Sounds very much like undiagnosed dementia, try not to take it personally. I think you will struggle to have any sensible conversation with him about it.

It would be worth trying to find out if he has any family who need to made aware that he is struggling.

As far as the fence goes, I think your best option is to cover the gap with a fence on your own side of the boundary for now so you can at least let your dog out - maybe something like chicken wire just to cover the gap?

Not always true through. We have a fence dividing us and the house that backs onto our garden. We have the posts on our side but talking to the neighbour he said he put the fence up and all around his garden he has put the posts on the outside so he has the good side facing in.

Unfortunately I don't think he has much family left maybe a cousin that he has discussed in passing but would have no idea on how to find them. I think we are going to have to do as some others have said and just put the broken fence back onto his side as he will not let us deal with it and just build a new one onto our property. I think we are also going to put some cameras up as I feel slightly nervous about him now after our argument as he could come onto our property quite freely at the moment until we can get a new fence built up over the next few weekends

Yes it sounds ridiculously petty but I said to my husband that I will video and photograph everything we do regarding old/new fence so that everything is documented properly

not all properties have this on deeds. it’s not that uncommon for it not to be clearly marked, and has to be established another way during conveyencing,
Some properties even share their boundary fences anyway. My current property was built in 1964- nowt on deeds. It’s shared. We both muck in to fix it. Or have so far.

We have downloaded the deeds for our sanity tonight and they are not marked clearly at all. It just shows our entire boundary and nothing to suggest fencing/wall boundaries

Agree
Just do it.
One time, the neighbor paid for the new fence , at the back, right side. Ours I think.
We paid for the back.
Then the neighbour on the left - their fence at the back - we paid for.
One neighbour went halves one time - we did it - their fence.
And the last time we both removed the hedge together and then he paid for the new fence.
Moral of the story- who ever can afford it pays - or the fence stays down.
Luckily in our current house it's all walks and hedges - and brilliant neighbours.

I don't think everyone follows the good side rule. We did when replacing our fence, but the neighbours on the other side gave us their bad side when putting a new fence in.

This is all that is shown

It sounds as though it is his fence. (Good side facing you is the convention). Perhaps he feels bad that he has not got round to repairing it since December, and that is why he is very defensive. Could you ask him if he would like your assistance in repairing it? That would come over better than just taking the matter into your own hands.

This is true on convention. I replaced my fence - 2 diff neighbours and spoke to them both. Neither had a preference. The main fence they have the good side as I wanted the rails for garden wires. The other shorter side - i think I have the good side as they had a very old trellis system in front and neither of us can really see it anyway.

Ours is as Marshbird said, all shared. Our house was built 1998. Was such fun when we lost sections of our fence shared with a total of 7 neighbours (and ours is a modest sized family garden, we're basically the garden that everyone else's stops on!).

That's not true. It will either be marked on your deeds or the sellers information pack from the previous owners when you bought the house. Either way you can put up a new fence on your own land.

That’s rude of them

Not necessarily

Looking at your house from the front what side is the fence

Left hand side same side as the front door

This is not set in stone either. We share responsibility for fences with our neighbours. When the fence on the right between me and the neighbour came down recently, they found someone to fix it and we paid half each.

This is completely untrue.

Have you purchased your neighbours deeds to check it for T Marks? If it isn’t on your deeds I’d guess it is your neighbours fence. You can therefore build a fence within your land but not on the boundary, there is absolutely no obligation for a fence to be erected on a boundary.

If your neighbours deeds also don’t have T Marks, it is assumed to be a party boundary and the boundary is therefore maintained jointly and equally.

All you can do is either build a full new fence on your side or a panel on your side. However the way he is I think you will probably get trouble again. My mother was accused of stopping the water going into her elderly neighbours house. The woman was out swearing to turn her water back on. Mum phoned the police and 2 of them arrived to talk to the neighbour. We have Community Police here and they can be contacted online. They try and deal with neighbourhood issues to avoid things getting worse. I would make sure they spoke to him in advance of any fence. Hopefully he will be warned off and if they think he has an issue they may involve social services.

We have 50:50 fences. On one side we opted for the "bad side" as it was better for trellis, and they used the side more. At the back we have the "good" because it faces our house and their side and the other side is "good" because much of theirs is hidden.

As there's no expense being imposed on him, I'd make sure the garden is secure. It will also protect you from him long term.

Could you drop him a note explaining what you intend to do regards the fence, might give him a chance to think it through.