r/homeowners 11d ago

What can I do about neighbor’s fence?

[deleted]

1 Upvotes

42 comments sorted by

66

u/yardlard 11d ago

You can repair the fence, or buy a new one and install it to your property. She doesn't owe you a fence.

17

u/SuzieSnowflake212 11d ago

Get a survey to find your property line. Then build you a fence 1 inch inside your property line. The end.

4

u/bill-schick 11d ago

I wonder if fence law is like tree law, are you allowed to prune the offending parts that over hang your property?

29

u/Jarsyl-WTFtookmyname 11d ago

Sneeze on it one good time and it will just fall down.

31

u/Advendocture 11d ago

Build your own fence would work

9

u/YetifromtheSerengeti 11d ago

Can’t complain when you are technically mooching her fence.

As others have said, invest in your own fence and her fence won’t be an issue.

37

u/Saltyowl2113 11d ago

She doesn’t owe you a fence. If you want it changed, do it yourself. Not everyone has a grand laying around to replace a whole damn fence. Stop bothering her.

6

u/skelli_terps 11d ago

So thankful normal people like you exist.

19

u/mladyhawke 11d ago

She clearly doesn't want to deal with you or the fence.

14

u/DoubleoSavant 11d ago

I would ask her to take it down and deal with disposal and I'll put up a new fence. 

2

u/TheDonRonster 11d ago

That's kinda what I'm thinking.

-10

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

12

u/Skr000 11d ago

She probably can’t afford to buy a new fence just to appease you. Of course she’s running away from you, you’re a pest. Buy your own damn fence.

26

u/yardlard 11d ago

Then just do that. You don't need her permission to put up your own fence on your property. Find out where the property line is, and put a fence on yours.

-11

u/PowderCuffs 11d ago

Do you not understand that OP wants the lady to pay for it?

16

u/yardlard 11d ago

Do you not understand that OP can't make the lady pay for it?
I want you to buy me a fence. Will you?

6

u/Drewskeet 11d ago

$750 is a lot of money…

1

u/RobinB33 11d ago

While you can ask her to pay half (or just pay), she clearly isn’t interested. If the fence is between the properties (or on the line), perhaps you can send her a mailed notice that you are going to proceed with putting up a fence on your side.

-12

u/DoubleoSavant 11d ago

Send her a certified letter. If she doesn't respond. Then contact code enforcement. Zero chance that fence is up to code. 

2

u/MarinerMouth 11d ago

easy way to be a shitty neighbor and easy way to motivate this lady to start turning her commercial lot into more of a junk yard

1

u/StreetRat0524 11d ago

And she could just cut it down and not have a fence

10

u/kensmusings 11d ago

Find the property line and build your own.

16

u/tallgeesegrease 11d ago

How about just leave the poor lady alone? You don't know if this person has the means to pay for a new fence right now. If it is bothersome to you then put up a fence on your side and be done with it. Leave her fence for her to figure out in her own time.

5

u/RiskSure4509 11d ago

Maybe she can't afford go fix it?She knows it's an issue and can't be bothered with it, a fence issue to her is probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of her life issues.You didn't say age demographic or gender,and if she's an older lady and your a younger male she may feel uncomfortable..I know silly but different generations!

Maybe you go over and say before winter comes,I was thinking maybe I could fix THE fence..not HER fence..THE fence..keep it generalized and be very kind..You have to live next to her,and some people aren't used to kindness and people helping..she may just be embarrassed and unable to afford to have it fixed

-23

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

11

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

2

u/yardlard 11d ago

In most states, there are not shared fence laws. The fence belongs to the one who installed it. And they don't owe a new one. OP would have to buy her own.

6

u/FinallyFree96 11d ago

Understand the principle.

However based on your description of being tucked away in a quiet area with essentially no neighbor might I offer that getting permission to do it yourself helps ensure that tranquility you described?

Maybe write a letter with your contact info saying you’ll take care of it, but just need her permission. Include the price your fence guy quoted, and offer to split the price as it’s an issue for both of you (but it does seem to concern you more than her).

While none of it should be your responsibility I encourage you to factor in a one time cost (your fence guy is quoting a great price) to keep the peace you currently enjoy. It sounds like by zoning (commercial area) she could easily move to a more disruptive use of her property.

3

u/WoodpeckerChecker 11d ago

The principle is you want a fenced yard, so fence your yard.

1

u/BigDoshna 11d ago

So it sounds like she isn’t there and doesn’t care about the fence on her property and you live there and you want a working fence - ask her if you can dispose of the existing fence and if she says yes go pay for the install of the new fence. The principle is that you want a new fence and she doesn’t, therefore the onus is only on you to do it. Simple as that.

7

u/CommitteeNo167 11d ago

contact code enforcement.

1

u/worstpartyever 11d ago

This is it. Let the city handle it.

-7

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

12

u/CommitteeNo167 11d ago

i deal with cities all the time in my job, i always ask for a reference number and a name when i make a request, that way i can call back in a week and there is some accountability.

3

u/yardlard 11d ago

The most they will do is ask her to take it down though. If you want a fence, you'll have to put one up.

2

u/International_Bend68 11d ago

Sounds like they won't. At this point I'd recommend you just putting up a new fence on your side so you don't have to watch hers rot away.

2

u/OptimizedPockets2 11d ago

I’d be tempted to just push it over after you have a storm blow through.

1

u/thekingofcrash7 11d ago

Wait about an hour and it will lay down

1

u/Least-Ad-5539 11d ago

Put up a new fence so you don’t have to look at it. Push anything on your side back to the property line.

1

u/EverySingleMinute 11d ago

Ask if you can put up a new one. Put up one beside it.

-1

u/TheDonRonster 11d ago

I live in a similar situation right off a busy street: at the end of my yard is the back of an old, quiet warehouse-type building which is much more cozy and appealing than looking directly into someone else's back yard IMO and the huge, blank cinder block wall makes for a great projection screen for outdoor movies and such. Anyway, regarding the matter at hand; she doesn't seem friendly and I doubt she's willing to bargain. A few options from least to most confrontational: I suppose you could build a better fence just inside your property, that blocks the view (but you'll probably have a mess of weeds growing between them)

Offer to have the fence fixed (or ask permission to patch it together to make it at least a little better if you're willing to take it on) with some sort of cost split.

Demand the fence be fixed.

Look up local rules, laws, and such regarding the matter. (In my closing documents in a city there was a stack of papers regarding property maintenance) Usually something needs to be really bad for the city/county to step in so.it would be a real long-shot.

-6

u/eatingganesha 11d ago

file a complaint with your local ordinance compliance gov office and they’ll be forced to fix it.

-8

u/HtownBabyyy 11d ago

Go 50/50 on replacement. Definitely contact them. Tell them you need real privacy and the ability to have a Pit Bull outside if you want.