A homeowner has asked for advice on Reddit after their neighbour, who is having work done on their garden, asked for their shared fence to be replaced. The neighbour reportedly offered to pay half for the new fence, but the Reddit user said they still cannot afford it and insisted the fence is “fine” and does not need replacement.
Reddit user seeks advice
The homeowner, called KeepYerPeckerUpChum on Reddit, said: “Hi, neighbour says our fence 'is in a poor state,' wants it replaced. After gauging my non-receptive reaction, he eventually offered to pay half. He's currently having his garden done up. That's nowhere near something we can consider paying for at the moment, but that's besides the point. I think the fence is fine and definitely not in urgent need of replacement. Take a look. Thoughts?”
The post has since attracted around 600 comments, with many agreeing that the “fence looks fine”. They said the homeowner should remain amicable with his neighbour while refusing to replace the fence.
Commenters weigh in
Weggles91 said: “Fence looks fine, if the neighbour wants something different they're welcome to put up their own fence on their side of yours. Sounds to me like they want to halve their cost of getting a new fence.”
Radiant-Delivery8139 added: “The fence looks in good nick to me. Your neighbour is just being an entitled Karen! Let your neighbour pay to replace it if it bothers them so much!”
Flat_____ put: “It’s your property. You can do with it whatever you feel like or do nothing. It’s yours it has nothing to do with them.”
MattyAFC wrote: “Fence looks fine. Personally I prefer an old fence that blends into the background compared to a bright shiny new one. If they are having their garden done up and want a new fence for their overall look then they should have immediately offered to go 50/50.”
ConsciousLevel2513 advised: “Just say I can’t afford it. Stay on side with him as much as you can. Ask what's wrong with the current one. Offer to help bring it back to life with a paint and sort a few slats. The law always looks for a reasonableness test. Just be reasonable. If he just wants a nice new fancy fence for his new garden…life don’t work like that. That ain’t reasonable. Check all posts and wobbles. Will it stand up to a storm? If so your ok. But stay friends. Offer to help make it nicer. I’ve just had the same experience. Good luck.”
What is the law around garden fences?
While there is no rule making you responsible for the left or right-hand fence of your property, the exact ownership, height restriction and maintenance duties are governed by property deeds, planning laws and environmental legislation. To determine ownership of a boundary, homeowners are advised to check their property's title deeds or HM Land Registry documents. On the deed plan, a “T” pointing toward your property means the fence is your responsibility while a “H” mark indicates a shared boundary.
Meanwhile, you cannot force a neighbour to fix a broken fence that belongs to them. If a neighbour refuses to repair their fence, you can erect your own directly alongside it as long as it sits within your boundary line. You are also not allowed to paint the side of the fence facing your garden if it belongs to your neighbour. Homeowners must seek permission from the council in order to do so.
