AIBU to ask neighbour if they plan to maintain their side of the fence?

[youkiddingme]

We have a lot of fence panels on both sides of the garden. (jointly owned with both neighbours as far as we can make out, but not confirmed or refuted by either neighbour). We repaired and painted them all on our sides last year.

On one side, our neighbour is an elderly lady, so we offered to fix and paint her side, and she was happy to accept. I might add that we are getting on and our health isn't the best, so it was something of a struggle for us, but we thought it a better option than needing to replace the fence panels - which were starting to split, warp, and come loose in places.

The fences are in similar condition at the other side. These neighbours are younger, seem fit, and do lots of work in their garden -it's lovely. They paint the fence they share with their other neighbours annually, but never seem to do this one. It looks like they didn't for some time before we moved in. It's starting to split and warp from their side now.

We had a disagreement with them over a year ago and haven't been able to open a conversation with them since. They didn't speak to the woman who lived in our house before us for several years. They were unintentionally causing a little damage to our property, and had plans to do work involving our garage wall without consulting us. They were most put out when we said they'd need to discuss the work with us and give us details or they'd be liable to pay for any damage. They changed their plans. We are more than happy to put that behind us, but I don't think they are. They stated we should not speak to them or write to them at the time and have avoided us since. I may not have handled them well at the time, but I have strived to show no hard feelings by trying to offer a friendly nod and taking around misdelivered post and the like.

I realise I can't make them repair their side, but I have an awful feeling they probably think they can make us replace it if it falls apart. I know they can't, but Iwould like to check what their thoughts are, and to find an agreeable way forward for all.

Suggestions how to handle pls?

Get a fence entirely on your side

Who owns the fence?

or put a new fence up on your ground?

Not really feasible due to other structures. Plus the fences are set into boundary walls. Plus, why should I pay for a second fence having just repaired this lot? TBH if the neighbours will take no responsibility and it falls apart I could live with the low wall and no fence - but I doubt they'd be happy. I'm looking for a way to find an amicable solution.

You could try saying we have done xxx work to our side of the fence to prolong its life and would they consider doing the same. However I don't think it will be seen positively with this back story so you probably need to let it go.

Regardless of how you approach it they will feel you are interfering and being overbearing.

Can you prove the fence responsibilities are shared ?

If you don’t get on then you’re never going to get an agreement in the fence.

If it falls down they likely won’t fix it either but just try to make you feel awkward in your garden till you do.

I'd be happy to know their thoughts on ownership are and work with that, just trying to work out how to even open a conversation with them. As much for clarity as anything. They seemed muddled themselves about ownership and legalities when we did speak,

jointly owned with both neighbours as far as we can make out, but not confirmed or refuted by either neighbour What is on your deeds?

Maybe they have their deeds which show that the fence is yours, hence they aren't touching it?

had plans to do work involving our garage wall without consulting us. They were most put out when we said they'd need to discuss the work with us and give us details or they'd be liable to pay for any damage. They changed their plans. We are more than happy to put that behind us, but I don't think they are

well obviously you are, you hit your iwn way.

you stopped them doing what they had planned.

& you can't see why you're willing to put it behind you & they're not??

Just look at your deeds to see who owns the fence.

Also you don’t have to have a fence at all so really the deeds mean nothing. Maintaining the boundary can be as simple as a couple of rocks.

Ownership of the actual panels being used can be useful but could be possible nobody knows if they are old panels put in a few owners ago.

So I should have said go ahead, and if you damage my property - I'm happy to pay?
I didn't stop them, I merely made them aware of the legal position.
They chose not to go ahead at their risk rather than mine.
The deeds don't make ownership clear.