Not my fence, but my problem

[Dahliasarebeautiful]

I wasn't sure where to post this tbh, but hoping the gardening family will help.

So our fence on the left of our garden isn't ours, however during the recent winds etc it's now falling into our garden and at risk of killing our honeysuckle. I've found out who's fence it is (we have a complicated back garden arrangement) and she's not in a position to fix it.

We can fix it for not a massive amount, my husband knows what to do and can get the parts. He wouldn't charge labour.

For parts, it's about £200 we think.

In the spring/summer it will impede our enjoyment of our garden and tbh even now it looks bad.

We're happy to pay for it if she can't, but what does that mean in future if she wants to sell etc? It's still "her" fence right?

Or should we ask for a contribution?

We'd only need to replace the posts, we think.

Like I said wasn't sure where to post it. Please advise another thread if not the right one.

Thank you and happy new year

What impact would it have on her selling?

Yes, ask for a contribution.

Unless it is specified in the deeds or lease, there is no obligation to have a fence. You could just leave it down until she is in a position to pay for repairs.

Ask yourself whether its worth repairing? Maybe you would rather it come down and be replaced by a fence, on your side, that you love?

Is there any way you can build your own fence just inside your boundary leaving the rickety one in place?

If you want the fence repaired then do it.

The only impact I can think on ownership is if the boundary owner (current or future) took the fence down they could return you your fence parts - if they even knew that they were yours.

You want it fixed so you fix it , it still remains her fence unless you put a new one up on your side .

Thank you all, our honeysuckle is quite attached to the fence, so I don't think we could just replace our side. She'd not in a position to use that part of her garden currently but if she sold I'm sure new owners probably would.

I think we'll just tell her how much and ask if she can contribute. Added complication is we have to go through her house to fix it as no side access!!

Technically there’s no requirement to have a fence.

Why can’t you put a fence on your side, within your property. Then it’s yours and you get what you want without any hassle

Whatever happens to the fence it's unlikely to harm the honeysuckle. They are tough plants. You can cut them back to the ground and they come back just as strong.

Yes the honeysuckle will grow back fast. Thst should not influence your decision.

You can offer to fix the fence as a goodwill gesture, but it will still legally be her property. Discuss the situation with her and see if she’s willing to contribute to the costs. If you pay fully, get a simple agreement in writing to clarify ownership and future responsibility. Replace just the posts if you want to keep costs minimal and avoid complications.

I believe that if it is not your fence then you should not attach, or allow, things be attached to it.

So if the honeysuckle is important to you, I would replace it (well I won't personally, but you know what I mean!).

I think OP will be doing this with the permission of the fence owner.

I wouldn't ask for a contribution if the weight of the honeysuckle leaning on the fence is part of the reason that it has collapsed.
To be honest I wouldn't ask for a contribution anyway for a cost of £200 when you want it fixed and the fence owner isn't bothered.

@Dahliasarebeautiful just fix the fence. I take a pragmatic view that I wanted my garden fence replaced, the neighbours had no objection but couldn’t afford to pay. I could afford it so got the fence replaced = everyone was happy.

Remember to check that she’s happy for you to remove and dispose of the old fence. It’s technically hers

@Dahliasarebeautiful please don’t ask her to contribute as she may feel obliged to say yes . Just ask her if she has any problem with your husband fixing it at your expense .

I would do exactly this too. Especially given the access problem.
We moved in 1997. The neighbour backing onto us said (months later) she really didn’t like the hedge and if we’d consider replacing with a fence she’d pay half (we did the labour). There was so much to do at the house and with a baby that we hadn’t given it a thought! But it was a good idea and a kind gesture, we became lovely friends and I miss her now she’s passed. It may be that it’s low on your neighbour’s priorities but would make such a difference to you and you get to save the honeysuckle.

Thank you all for the advice. I think we'll offer to pay for it and fix it ourselves, assuming she's happy for us to access via her house, although I think we'd struggle to fix it otherwise. It's all falling into our garden. The previous owners of our house have propped it up further down as it would be on our shed otherwise

As an aside, honeysuckle can regrow rapidly from a hard prune and could probably benefit from it anyway. It could probably be argued that it isn't helping with the stability of the fence

The honeysuckle isn't attached to the fence, just growing up infront of it, unless you're referring to the roots? The fence post it's near is the last of four of them to go to be honest

@Dahliasarebeautiful you said yourself that the honeysuckle is attached to the fence... I am now confused

And that is why I shouldn't write posts at 11pm after wine... 😂