Garden fences

**Bop** · 21-03-2011, 01:54pm

We have fencing all around our garden, in total about 40 panels worth. Part is onto the road (16 panels) and we paid for that to be erected ourselves a few years ago, the majority of the rest borders two neighbours and was erected before we arrived 6 years ago and all of this fencing is the same style.

However one small section (just 2 panels), adjoins a different neighbour and was different and starting to look old, but was still doing its job. A month or so ago, her son came round and said they were thinking of redoing her fences and were we interested in contributing. We told them we are moving and he said don't worry, they are doing them anyway, as the larger section, adjoining our other neighbours, was in a very poor state.

Last week a new fence was put up which is a totally different style. I don't particularly like it, but I thought its their choice.

Today our neighbour has just turned up demanding our proportion of the bill - £90. Now I know its not a huge amount, but is more than we paid for the fence we put up and if we knew we were expected to contribute I would have asked for a different style of fence and would have used a different company (the one used is known to be very expensive and the owner is the best friend of the other neighbour who is contributing...)

I expect we will pay, but I am feeling quite peeved by this.

WDYT?

Bop

**S-J** · 21-03-2011, 02:02pm

WDIT - sorry but no way would I be paying.

Who "owns" the fence - ie in the deeds whose land is it? ie at our house we have responsibility for two of the three fences - the other is owned by the neighbour and it is their responsibility for the upkeep and expensive of it. They replaced some last year, but we paid nothing towards it (DH did help), and nor did they ask. Same as if we put in a new fence other side - we would tell the neighbours to be polite but no way would we ask for money towards it.

Also, they expect you to contribute but didnt let you have any input?

**donna-j** · 21-03-2011, 02:12pm

I wouldn't be paying - you said no and had no input. Buy some big plants now (twisted willow are cheap, big and look lovely, Homebase usually have them) and stick them in front. No way should you pay £90 for a share of two panels of fence.

**Bop** · 21-03-2011, 02:21pm

Thanks.

I've just spoken to our solicitor and our deeds say we are jointly responsible for the maintenance - but I still think its excessive, we had no input and although "our" bit was old, it was fine. This is also the first time I think I have actually spoken to this neighbour as to get to her house its quite a long walk round other houses.

I've realised that part of the fence we had put up does adjoin our other neighbour and it never occurred to us to ask them to contribute to that.

Bop

**bubblewrap** · 21-03-2011, 02:26pm

I'd just say no. What will they do? Take it down? Did they ask your permission or if you wanted the old fence panels they removed? No.

**Dunkling** · 21-03-2011, 03:21pm

It doesn't matter who is responsible for the maintenance. No neighbour can force another neighbour to maintain any fence.... shared or sole ownership. If they decided to go ahead with the work without any go ahead from yourselves, the bill is theirs to pay.