topic Re: Neighborly requirement?? in Community Chat

Neighborly requirement??

shy bobcat — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:12:22 GMT

My neighbor and I have a 4' chain link fence between our properties. There are deer that come and eat our plants so my neighbor has decided to put up a wooden fence. I would not choose this but, wonder if paying for a portion of the fence is what most neighbors do. What do you think?

Re: Neighborly requirement??

2blonde — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:17:01 GMT

If the fence is on the neighbor's property, then it's his/her responsibility to pay for it and maintain it. Has this neighbor asked you for a contribution? If so, that's your choice, but remember it will still be part of the property where it is actually located.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

Sooner — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:19:48 GMT

Where I live we all have 8 foot fences and it is basically a given that you go halves on them.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

fthunt — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:20:45 GMT

Absolutely not a dime nor would I even get in a conversation about the fence. His idea - he can pay 100% for it.

(avoids any future problems of who owns this part or that part in case of storm damage)

Re: Neighborly requirement??

Fressa — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:22:14 GMT

If the fence is on his property and this is his idea then the expense is his. If the fence is on your property then the type of fence and expense is yours. There is no such thing as a shared property line. It can get messy with maintainence issues ,etc. If he wants to tear down the chain link fence and replace it with the wood fence then it needs to be on his side of line. Who paid for the original fence? If it was you then you have the right to keep the fence you want.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

shy bobcat — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:24:32 GMT

@2blonde wrote:
If the fence is on the neighbor's property, then it's his/her responsibility to pay for it and maintain it. Has this neighbor asked you for a contribution? If so, that's your choice, but remember it will still be part of the property where it is actually located.

My neighbor has not asked for a contribution and the fence will be on their property.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

KingstonsMom — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:26:14 GMT

We have a chain link fence surrounding our property and our neighbors on both sides put up chain link fencing, tying into our fencing on these 2 sides.

We are planning on replacing it with 6 ft. privacy fencing, at our own expense and discretion, since the 2 sides they tied into are on our property.

It's their problem if they don't care for it, our property, our choice, but also our expense.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

SandySparkles — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:29:27 GMT

It depends on your relationship with your neighbor. If you are good friends and it benefits each of you, I say going "halvsies" is appropriate. If not, it would be his responsibility to pay for it, including maintenance, but I am sure he is aware of that.

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Neighborly requirement??

2blonde — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:30:09 GMT

@shy bobcat I guess that answers your question, then. Some may think that fences are built right on the line, but this isn't the case. They usually are built a foot or so inside the property line. As @Fressa mentioned, this avoids any messy Hatfield vs the McCoys later on. Remember, you two may not always be the same two owners of those properties.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:38:48 GMT

No.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

proudlyfromNJ — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:43:46 GMT

@2blonde wrote:
@shy bobcat I guess that answers your question, then. Some may think that fences are built right on the line, but this isn't the case. They usually are built a foot or so inside the property line. As @Fressa mentioned, this avoids any messy Hatfield vs the McCoys later on. Remember, you two may not always be the same two owners of those properties.

@2blonde @shy bobcat Yes, this is the way it is where we live. Nothing built on the property line.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

JYWilliams — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:43:50 GMT

The neighbor pays for it if it's on their property.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

shy bobcat — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:46:13 GMT

The chain link fence was put up by my neighbor when they got a dog and it's inside their property line. They will take it down when they get the wooden fence. I know that I don't have to pay anything toward this fence but we've been good neighbors for years and I don't want to tarnish the relationship we have. Nonetheless, I really don't like contributing to a project that isn't my choice.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

sandy53 — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:48:06 GMT

You are not obligated. You had no input into this decision; you didn't pick the material, color, etc. You do not have to pay. You may want to pay for the removal of your current fence if it is yours.

We have a fenced yard. None of our neighbors helped pay for the fence and we did not ask them to contribute. It was our decision and our choice of materials.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

chrystaltree — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:48:59 GMT

Did she ask you to pay for half the fence? If the fence is on her property, it's her fence. She pays for it and she can do what she wants with it.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

novamc1 — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:01:32 GMT

If the fence looks like it is going to straddle a property line, you and neighbor should jointly order an updated property survey to determine EXACTLY where the property line is.

If the neighbor's fence touches your property in any way, you should send a certified letter to that property owner that you are, in no way, ceding any part of your property to him/her/them. (This is simply a matter of law, and not an effort to be disagreeable or confrontational, but you do have to keep everything straight, especially if you don't plan to own your property forever.)

If someone's encroachment on another's property is allowed to exist long enough, the law might regard it as you having given permission to occupy and eventually own that portion of your property, simply because of the passage of time.

CHECK WITH A REAL ESTATE LAWYER WHO CAN ADVISE YOU ABOUT HOW THE LAWS AND COURTS IN YOUR STATE REGARD SHARED FENCES AND ENCROACHMENTS !!

Re: Neighborly requirement??

KingstonsMom — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:54:26 GMT

@shy bobcat

Since your neighbors haven't asked or hinted that you contribute to their choice of fence replacement, I see no reason that your friendship with them would be tarnished.

You may be anticipating a problem, where there is none.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

2blonde — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:55:35 GMT

@shy bobcat wrote:
The chain link fence was put up by my neighbor when they got a dog and it's inside their property line. They will take it down when they get the wooden fence. I know that I don't have to pay anything toward this fence but we've been good neighbors for years and I don't want to tarnish the relationship we have. Nonetheless, I really don't like contributing to a project that isn't my choice.

@shy bobcat I understand how you feel, but I don't think you are going to damage the relationship. This will be the neighbor's fence, not yours. What happens if they move out and someone else moves in that doesn't like the fence, and decides to take it down?

Re: Neighborly requirement??

ValuSkr — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:56:43 GMT

I think that since the existing fence is theirs, and they are choosing to replace it, you should feel no obligation to contribute to its cost. True, you may benefit from its existence, but the fence is theirs, and they (or the next owner) will do with it as they please. Maybe you could thank them with a Christmas gift, e.g. one of Q's many food offerings.

Re: Neighborly requirement??

chrystaltree — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:22:13 GMT

This is a prime example of looking for trouble where none exists.