'I asked neighbour to pay for shared fence – their response was so rude'
A woman has taken to Mumsnet to vent about her neighbours after they refused to contribute to the cost of a new fence, despite the fact the boundary is shared.
Fences can often become a bone of contention between neighbours.
When a fence falls into disrepair, it can spark a dispute over who is responsible for its maintenance. To determine this "with certainty" one should consult the Title Plan or Land Registry documents.
Within these records, a 'T' symbol designates the owner of the boundary, clarifying who must uphold the condition of the fence.
So when a woman investigated and discovered the fence was jointly owned, she anticipated some assistance from her neighbours in replacing it but their cooperation was lacking.
"Shared fence badly in need of repair, think green algae, cracked rotten warped wood (18 years old)," the woman posted on Mumsnet.
She added: "Next-door neighbour gave the whole 'well as long as you're paying for it' when approached about it. They haven't once mentioned putting any contributions to it, and wouldn't replace it, it is patched up beyond repair at this point.
"They tried to tell us it was our fence when it blew down in a storm awhile back (even though before this they had happily painted it, and attached things to it without asking). They didn't want to help my husband put it back up. We checked the deeds, and it is shared."
When requested to lend a hand, they excused themselves claiming the entire family had "sore elbows", leaving the original poster's spouse to single-handedly reinstall the entire fence while they "curtain twitched, watching".
The woman further vented her frustration, explaining: "The fencing company came out today, and the neighbour came straight out as soon as they got here, trying to get them to reattach their things back onto the new fence. She said she 'had forgotten it was happening today and hadn't detached it yet'."
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"They have had loads of notice, and have been reminded many times. The first date was delayed, and she came beelining for us, saying she was scared we had changed our mind! Yesterday we cleared our garden, removed privacy screens, which was asked them to move their stuff, as they have things all leaning the full way along the fence, and they haven't moved a single thing."
She described the neighbours as "hovering" around the whole time, as she added: "They are scroungers, have probably more money than we do. Think, not bringing a contribution to a buffet, haggling type."
Furious about having to cover the cost of the entire fence that is shared she accused her neighbours of being "petty, uncooperative, and bloody awkward".
At least she wasn't alone in her ordeal, as other online users shared similar experiences and reassured her. One user rallied: "Rant on! Similar situation for us. The fence was rotten, donkeys years old, big holes, always fell into our garden, causing damage to our plants, and greenhouse.
"We put up a new one (asked neighbour's permission as unfortunately in deeds it's 'theirs'). They have caused a lot of damage, can't say too much because it's 'outing', but it makes me seething with anger."
One person added: "It's done now, you have more privacy - breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy it!" In a light-hearted response another quipped: "I suggest you take down all the fence, set up deckchairs and sit facing towards their windows all day."
