Shared Fence - Opinions?

[Helgalush]

Hi,

Just wondering what others think about the following:

We have a shared fence with our neighbours that desperately needs replacing. Although we are in a terraced property, we think that each household has responsibility for the fence on the left of their garden.

This fence is really falling apart, with big holes in, some of which have recently appeared since the weather has got better and next door's grandchildren footballing skills are rather lacking, meaning the fence takes a beating quite regularly.

We want to replace the fence because we want to be able to make use of the borders on that side and also so that our rabbits can go free-range without worrying about them escaping.

We had accepted that we will probably have to pay for it, but just wondered if it is reasonable to either ask a) if they could contribute, since their grandchildren are speeding up the destruction process, or b) to ask politely that once we have a new fence if they could ask their grandchildren to aim towards the other neighbour's fence??! Lol!!

What do you think? They are lovely people and I really dont want to offend them but the fence is going to cost quite a lot and is certainly not something we would be able to replace in a hurry!!

Thanks
Helen

[selfraising]

We had a similar situation and paid for new fencing. I think it would be reasonable to ask for a contribution if you are sure your responsibility lies to the left. I only mention this as ours is the right hand side. May be worth checking your deeds to see if the boundary is marked as it was on ours. We did not ask for contributions as the neighbours had no money anyway and although we did not have much, I could not bare the state of the fence any longer and all the bramble that was growing through but we did ask for permission from them. Since then new neighbours have moved in with three small children. We did let them know through conversation that we had payed to replace the fence so hopefully they will be mindful of this.

[Helgalush]

Hello, thanks for replying

I am not 100% about it being our responsibility, as the fence on the right looks shabby and from the same era, same style etc, just less damaged.

That said though, the one on the left of the neighbours garden looks lovely and smart and they are quite smart-type people - their house from what I have seen is really smartly decorated and the garden is very neat too, so I imagine that they paid for it, particularly as their previous neighbour on that side didnt seem to have much cash to spare.

We would definitely ask their permission before replacing it, and I probably wouldnt ask them to pay a contribution but I do wish I had the courage to ask them if they could ask their grandchildren to be more careful if we do replace it. Partly this is also because about 4 balls a day come over in to our garden and we dont have a very big garden so they tend to land on the rabbit's run which scares the poor bunnies!! But thats not their problem and they are only kids and I was as bad when I was a youngster....

We will check the deeds as you suggested. Thanks.

[Bagpuss]

Hi
Have a look at the Land Registry Direct website
Property Search - Land Registry
You'll need a copy of the title register and plan so you can see who has responsibility of the boundary - hope that helps

[selfraising]

Hello, thanks for replying

I am not 100% about it being our responsibility, as the fence on the right looks shabby and from the same era, same style etc, just less damaged.

That said though, the one on the left of the neighbours garden looks lovely and smart and they are quite smart-type people - their house from what I have seen is really smartly decorated and the garden is very neat too, so I imagine that they paid for it, particularly as their previous neighbour on that side didnt seem to have much cash to spare.

We would definitely ask their permission before replacing it, and I probably wouldnt ask them to pay a contribution but I do wish I had the courage to ask them if they could ask their grandchildren to be more careful if we do replace it. Partly this is also because about 4 balls a day come over in to our garden and we dont have a very big garden so they tend to land on the rabbit's run which scares the poor bunnies!! But thats not their problem and they are only kids and I was as bad when I was a youngster....

We will check the deeds as you suggested. Thanks.

I do understand totally what you are saying. We have a very narrow garden and next door neighbours childrens footballs were constantly landing in my flower borders last year or the pond or the veg patch...sigh. I'm afraid I don't have the nerve either and as I chose to put the fence up because I couldn't stand the old one any longer, I'm not sure if I have the right to complain if the ball hits it as it was my choice

[Helgalush]

I do understand totally what you are saying. We have a very narrow garden and next door neighbours childrens footballs were constantly landing in my flower borders last year or the pond or the veg patch...sigh. I'm afraid I don't have the nerve either and as I chose to put the fence up because I couldn't stand the old one any longer, I'm not sure if I have the right to complain if the ball hits it as it was my choice

Yeah its annoying but I know my brothers and I were just as bad when we were younger, always knocking the ball over (in fact I think we did to my brother's neighbour last summer...still obviously not very good at football despite all being 30+) Oh dear.

Maybe I could buy super-high fencing.....!!!

I think we may just have to bite the bullet and hope for the best, hope that they are a bit more careful around it/that its better quality and lasts a long time. Fingers crossed.

[lizzylemon]

If the leftside isn't your responsibility but you still want to put a fence up, can I recommend that you dont take down the old fence, just run yours along side it. I know this seems a bit odd but the new fence will be within your boundry so it's yours to do with as you choose and also the old fence on their side will take the brunt of the footballs. Plus you get to see the nice new fence and they still have look at the grotty one!

Of course if they choose to chip in then it's only fair they get to see the nice one too....

[Helgalush]

Thank you, that is a good idea and would save the worrying about the footballing... In practice, it might be a bit difficult to explain to them though why we had done it like that and also to the fencing company, they might think its a bit odd?

They are nice people and generally we are quite considerate to each other in my street... I think we will just have to go with it and hope the fence doesnt take a battering, if it does then I guess it would be reasonable to ask them to take a little more care.
Thanks again Lizzy.

[Suky]

The fencing company will be used to things like this Our neighbours at our last property had the same situation on the other side from us and this was the only way they could resolve it.

[bobleponge]

I seem to remember a similar situation being discussed here within the last year. I know TS is in self imposed exile re the search facility, so I shall say it for her. If you have a search through I know someone raised this, I cant remember what the final outcome was, but if you find it, it may tell you.
Good luck with it, it is a difficult one. If its my sister though, who lives in Cov, just rip it down and tell her to pay for it herself, she's minted.

[tamsin]

Talk to your neighbours Perhaps they are busy thinking the exact same thing. Admit your not sure who owns it - ask if they know and if they want to split the cost. Just because one person did it last time doesn't mean you can't share this time. If the fence is theirs and you remove it they might be upset. Approach them first and you can hopefully sort it all out friendly.

[Helgalush]

Hi Tamsin.
Thanks for your reply, I think you are right, we will start from there and see how we go.

Thanks everyone

Helen

[lizzylemon]

Of course tamsin is perfectly right and the best way is a nice chat about it. Hopefully you can casually drop into your next conversation with them - preferably whilst you're in the garden chatting over the offending fence But if it doesn't go according to plan you have plenty of options to choose from for your next step.

I hope it goes well for you

[Helgalush]

Of course tamsin is perfectly right and the best way is a nice chat about it. Hopefully you can casually drop into your next conversation with them - preferably whilst you're in the garden chatting over the offending fence But if it doesn't go according to plan you have plenty of options to choose from for your next step.

I hope it goes well for you

Hee hee, that might happen if I wasnt so short and could actually see over the fence!! Lol!!

It is good to know that there are other options if it doesnt go to plan...

Thank you.

[quark1]

Please don't rely on any fence to keep your bunnies in. They are burrowing creatures and will see it only as a minor obstacle. They could even start their escape out of sight behind any planting you plan.