Storm - Neighbour's fence panel just collapsed into my garden...

[Greenseawitch]

I live in a terraced house.

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that one of the panels in my neighbour's fence was coming loose.

The elderly owner is in a care home and the house is for sale so I informed her son who said he would look into it during his visit to the house.

The panel has now collapsed into my garden because of the strong winds, causing damage to plant pots, plants and a garden lantern.

My deeds state that I am only responsible for the fence on the right side of my garden so this repair (on the left) is my neighbour's responsibility.

I have texted them and will take pictures of the damage tomorrow.

Frankly I am angry that they just let this happen although I had warned them of the problem but hope it can be resolved amicably.

Can anyone give me some advice on the right steps to take/ the best approach?

I live alone and don't have the strength to lift the fence back I think but should I try to push it back in their garden once I have taken pictures? what can I do if they are slow in repairing this?

Worse things happen at sea.

I couldn't get too worked up about it. Being a carer is tough going. He probably has so much to deal with on top of his 'normal' day to day life that I would cut him some slack.

You can't say MN is unpleasant just because people don't agree with you.

Have you ever tried to get a fencer in? Even if they'd had a quote the same day you told them, they could easily not get a date to fix it for 4-6 weeks.

complete lack of irony in your post there...!

My whole fence came down in the big storms last year, it was down for about 6 months and NDN rented and "didn't know" who the owner was so in the end I had to pay for it.

If they are trying to sell the house it will probably be in their interests to repair the fence at some point but might not be for a while. If you want it lifted back onto their side IMMEDIATELY you'll have to ask or pay someone to do so.

My neighbours had to deal with 0 fence between us for about 4 months whilst I saved up 2 years ago to replace it...1.7k for 11 panels and concrete posts.

It's shit but what do you expect ? Fences are not cheap and nor are trades people.

"What a sad place Mumsnet has become".
Frankly, you sound insufferable.

looks like we are both right! they do cover gates and fences but not for storm damage!

oh that's bollocks! who did they pay their rent to?

Where did you see that? It says “we don’t cover these items”

I've just read the way they have written their terms and conditions around storm damage and I can immediately see if I insured my house with them I would be "buying an argument" rather than insurance cover. There obviously have to be exclusions and contractual definitions but based on their website I wouldn't go anywhere near them!

I’m sure in the good old days mumsnet would’ve demanded OP dial 999 to put in an immediate complaint for trespass and criminal damage.

Two of our fence panels came down in a storm too, and the post in between them. It happens, cost us £500 to fix and this was 5 years ago.
we got it fixed as soon as we could, which was within a week but you need to chill out about this, not ever has the resources, time or money to instantly deal an issue like this

OP, can you ask in a local fb group for someone to help you shift the panel?

No insurers cover fences for storm damage. They’re not really supposed to be able to sustain them, so nothing to insure 😂 plus the insurers have no idea how old your fences are or how you’ve maintained them (there isn’t much you can do to maintain a fence anyway)

He is not obligated to tell an eyes fence . He has to replace your damage but the fence is his and he might just decide he can do without it . This sort of thing happens you are making it like it’s something huge

But isn’t that on the page about storms? I think if your fence burnt down they would cover it! My insurance paid for fence panels and a gate burnt down.

It’s literally just happened, and whilst it might have been loose it could have survived the storm or not.

just inform your neighbour, tell them you can’t lift it back and can they come asap to sort

And yeah you are fully able and allowed to build your own fence on your side of the boundary and then you don't need to worry about anyone else not doing the upkeep ofc. Or pop something else there to keep your dog/kids on your side.

I'm not talking about fences. I mean all of the other hoops you have to jump through to get a storm payment out of them based on their website.

There are far better insurers out there. I wouldn't go anywhere near them

@godmum56 said she was covered for storm damage to her fences.

fences are sometimes covered for fire but frequently not covered for anything tbh.

Claim on your house insurance and forget about it.

You have absolutely no idea what the son is having to sort out or do!

It’s a fence panel - these things happen! Put some perspective on it.

Even if they did who the fuck would go via insurance for a fence panel? You could replace the panel in less time it takes to make the claim.

Bizarre

It isn't a sad place. You drip fed. People thought you were being unreasonable and told you so. If you wanted a "oh, poor you" post, you should have worded it better.