Two years ago my now neighbor bulit a home on the lot next door.  With the home, he built a privacy fence.  My wife and I had no fence at the time.  My wife and I are now the proud owners of a beautiful 6 mo old black lab.  We decided we needed a fence.  While the men were setting the post for our new fence, my neighbor came out and told them not to tie onto his fence, so we did'nt.  Later that day he informed me that he believed that I owe him 1/2 the cost of the shared fence and 1/2 the cost of repairs needed due to damage from Hurricane Ike in Sept. of 2008.  Do I owe him anything?

Contact an attorney or find someone like your local county clerk who can interpret land laws. I would also get a copy of my land deed with the exact property line coordinates and have that handy for the attorney to see. Some places require that when a fence is installed it should be at least 6 inches inside the property line. He may be trying to recoup the damage from the Hurricane Ike because his fence may not have been covered in his insurance policy and he doesn't want to spend the money out of his pockets for repairs.

I agree, contact an attorney or as a cheaper first step, find out the ordinances for fences in your area. Most do require 6 inches inside the property line so it would only be on his property and you are NOT responsible for any cost or upkeep. If it is NOT in compliance with the ordinance and is actually on your property, you can ask him to remove it at his cost (not yours).

You would have to know exactly where your property lines are located to determine if the fence is on his property or encroaching onto your property. If it is encroaching, it is trespass and he must remove it at your request (again, at his cost).

 

 I think the key to this is thatif you can not tie onto his fence, then it is not also your fence.  However, making nice with neighbors is always a good move.   Also, wereyou consulted in the height, style etc of the shared fence?  If not I don't see how you could be responsible for half the cost.

I think I would tell the neighbor to stick it where the sun don't shine!  You don't owe him anything at all! He wouldn't allow you to tie into HIS fence, so HIS fence is HIS problem, not yours. I agree that it's nice to "make nice" with the neighbors but that "making nice" works both ways!  I would tell him in no uncertain terms that you will not be responsible now or ever for his fence.

Why he is bringing this up now? instead over a year ago he did his fence. don't think you have to pay.    Normally neighbours here split the cost of a shared fence but discussed first.  but that is on the property line and replacing existing fencing.  We did that with our neighbour but then they fenced in the front with a picket fence we did pay anything and they didn't ask for payment.  plus our fences all tied into each other.  We are on very good terms with our neighbours.

If someone wants you pay, they need to discuss it first and you both have to agreed on type of fencing.  I don't know how it works in your area.

swtnsassy:

I think I would tell the neighbor to stick it where the sun don't shine!  You don't owe him anything at all! He wouldn't allow you to tie into HIS fence, so HIS fence is HIS problem, not yours. I agree that it's nice to "make nice" with the neighbors but that "making nice" works both ways!  I would tell him in no uncertain terms that you will not be responsible now or ever for his fence.

What she said.

I agree with the others that you shouldn't be responsible for any part of your neighbor's fence. It sounds like a shakedown to me. But I'd cover all my bases and know where your property line is, etc.

Jill

Please check your city's rules. In my city, If I put up or repair and existing fence that runs between my and the adjacent property, I can do it without consulting the neighbor and charge him/her as much as twice the actual cost. wierd, I know. Please know your rights and responsibilities before blowingf off steam. It could cost you more than you can imagine.

lamuneca0325:

Please check your city's rules. In my city, If I put up or repair and existing fence that runs between my and the adjacent property, I can do it without consulting the neighbor and charge him/her as much as twice the actual cost. wierd, I know. Please know your rights and responsibilities before blowingf off steam. It could cost you more than you can imagine.

I'm glad I don't live in your city! 

I agree you should check with the city, & get a copy in writing. Most clerks are ok with giving you a copy of a city ordinance. Then you have it "in writing", & yu can make another copy.  If the neighbor brings it up again, or even if he doesn't, you can mention that,  "By the way, I checked with the city on that fencing matter, & this is what they gave me" - - and hand him a copy of the ordinance.