Next door won't replace their fence

[flutterby31]

Wwyd?

It's "theirs" and yet it's in such a bad way it impacts us so much.
A) every panel is different/botched/different heights

B) it snakes up the garden because they're falling down and just been propped

C) we're laying a new patio but struggling to get a straight line

We asked them last year twice. They refused. What can we do?

Offer to pay half to begin with.

Build your own fence against theirs, that way you will own the fence so can grow things up it, paint it, and decide what type of fence you want. Plus then you know where you patio is going to sit.

Unless it specifically states in their deeds that fences on boundaries must be maintained they do not have to repair their fence. If they have a dog they have a duty to keep it in their garden. This does not mean a fence.

My own deeds do state that all boundary fences and walls must be maintained. In my last house, no such details in the deeds.

But it was very common where I lived before for there to be two fences running down a boundary, one belonging to one person and the other, the other person. There was no disharmony, just different tastes in fences and where you could typically share a boundary with 3 different people (side, rear and other side) it made sense for people to erect their own fences.

Put your own fence up inside your boundary.

It might be their fence but it's not their problem that you don't like the way it looks.

Offer to pay half, and consider putting your own up if it doesn't help. Fences are expensive though. I think it's the wrong time to be pressuring them when so many people's jobs are uncertain.

You need to talk to them again and as kate has said make an opening offer to pay half. Talk about budget and doing the work yourselves. Some people really just don't have the ready cash to do what they see as non essential work.

If you really, really want a new fence on their side you might have to pay for it yourself.

If I put one up in my boundary they could basically knock theirs down and benefit from mine though free of charge?

Well yes, but it depends on what you want to look at doesn't it?

They're unfortunately not legally obligated to provide a fence at all, even though it is their boundary. They could string a length of wire between two posts and call it a day, as long as there's something there marking whose garden is whose. You'll have to pay for your own fence if you want a nice one, I'm afraid.

Or plant a hedgerow?

Do you honestly think it’s acceptable to ask your neighbours to pay for a fence to improve your garden?
We’ve paid for all three fences in our garden because we wanted to consistent looking fence.

I had to put one up inside my own boundary. Neighbour wasn't bothered.

We could walk between patios when I moved in. I wanted to keep my dc's and house secure so I paid for a fence.

@Postmanbear yes when it's legally their fence that is dilapidated.

They’re not bothered, you are. So if you want one pay for it.

They dont legally have to do anything to it though

TW2013 is absolutely spot on - fences are horrible, high maintenance eyesores. Plant a hedge with a good mixture of native species and cut just once a year in late summer, after bird nesting season. Pleasant to look at, low maintenance, CO2 absorbing and, above all, beneficial for wildlife. Win, win I would say

But haven't you asked them to pay for a new fence so that you can enjoy it for free? 🤔

If you want one then you pay for it , they obviously are not bothered so why should they pay for it .

Why should they pay so it benefits you then? It kinda works both ways as you're saying you're not happy to pay for it to benefit them? They've no issues with the fence but you have? Not a lot you can do - they may not be in a position to spend money on it right now either

I agree, plant a hedge!

If they replace theirs, you’re benefiting “free of charge”... if you want one, get one.

They don’t have to. There’s no obligation to fence your boundary.

Get some basic chicken wire and stakes. Run it straight along the boundary then plant some shrubs and climbers.
The advantage is that your plants can grow a lot higher than the height allowed for a fence.
Plant some prickly stuff.

I would pay for my own within my boundary

They are not obliged to mark the boundary with a fence. You can install one "your" side of the boundary but yes they can remove theirs and benefit.

I would hate to have to look at a dilapidated fence so I would pay for my own in whatever style I wanted (and high).

I am lucky enough to have always lived next to people who happily repaired their fences because they wanted a decent fence too. Anyone who doesn’t is a bit of a nuisance neighbour really. Horrible fences and horrible people seem to go together!

So, build your own fence on your own land and then you won’t have to look at the neighbouring fence ever again. You can build up to 2m high.

A hedge is slow growing and is impossible to plant against a rickety wavy fence. It can also end up being very wide. Prop all wavy bits of fence up and then build your fence. You will never have to worry again and you get the choice of fence! Best side facing you!