Should I offer to split the cost of building a new fence?

Question

Hello! I moved into my current house 3 years ago. My next door neighbor already had a fence up on one end. Now a new family moved in behind my house few months back. And he put up a fence around his house and that took care of the back. Should I offer to split the cost of the fence that adjoins the backyards? If so, am I obligated to pay something to my next door neighbor as well? eventhough the fence was there before I moved in? I may eventually put up a fence on my own... What's the unspoken good neighbor policy? Thanks!

Answer 1

My neighbor has offered me that for any piece of wood that goes from my fence , that needs replacing he/she would be willing topay for it. I thought that this offer was nice since both sides adjunct to their yard. Nevertheless, I never took advantage of them. But out of courtesy I would hold a BBQ with the two new neighbors and slightly find a way of communication about it. See what they have to offer you. Good lucki. It always helps to be neighborly.

Answer 2

You need to go to your county courthouse with your property tax code number and look at the plat map. You can see where the lot lines are. In the documents when you closed on the house, perhaps there is a survey. Once you get the measurements, you can measure from one known place that you believe to be accurate. You need to establish that his fence is ACTUALLY 12" inside his property line. Sometimes, legal easements are unknowingly granted simply by maintaining land over a certain period of time. This is a tricky issue and you need to do some research before you go forward with your dog run. My guess is that it's not the fence, it's the fact that you will have a dog (or dogs) in a dog run for long periods of time. So, it's not the fence, it's the dog he has a problem with.

Answer 3

I am considering offering our side neighbors to split the cost of the fence they put up so we can abut our new fence to them when we replace our fence.

The fence on the other side was already there when we moved in, so I don't think I need to ask those neighbors about it, because I don't know who paid for that fence in the first place.

Answer 4

If you want to have a fence installed, offer to split the cost with the other neighbor. They may decline. You are under no obligation to pay for a fence that was already there and you had no input as to the type that was installed.

Answer 5

I have a fence that surrounds my property and I know that I wouldn't mind if my neighbors wanted to attach to it. However, it is polite to ask especially since not everyone would be as open to it. You will also need to take into consideration that maybe their property extends a little bit past their fence line. It would be worth looking into. Talk to your neighbor to get information about the fence and how much it cost and then let him know that you are interested in fencing your yard as well. He may just offer to let you connect to his.

You are not obligated to pay for or repair a fence that someone else has taken upon himself to have installed. However, if he grants you permission to connect and you do then you will share responsibility for maintenance and repair of the fence.

Answer 6

Bless your thoughtful heart.


Unless you'd like a say in the disposition/height/style of the fences, the'res nothing you need to do. The fences are theirs, and so is the property they rest on; i would suggest looking at a survey of your own land to make sure no one's accidentally encroaching or shorting themselves.


The neighborly thing to do would be to make sure that your side of the fence is maintained; paint it when they paint the other side, help keep it in repair, etc.


If you ever need it moved or otherwise altered, by all means, offer to cover or split the cost.

Answer 7

the previous answers do not address fully the proper legal ramifications of property line fencing if the fence delineates the property boundaries the respective owners are equally responsible for maintenance and repair or replacement. if a fence in this case needs repair or replacement the one who replaces the fence may charge the adjacent owner(s) an equal share of the costs. good neighbor policy would dictate an offer to share in the costs since you both benefit by the new fence

Answer 8

I replaced a fence on all three sides once. I had asked the neighbors to share only the corner posts, which were shot. These had to be removed and replaced in the same spot, all in concrete. Damned hard work. All other posts, I staggard without removing the old post concrete. Two agreed, one refused. Only the posts, mind you. That required removing part of their fence, which also needed replaced. I used some of the best panels from my old fence to replace part of theirs.
Not even a thank you from one neighbor.
Do what you think is right.

Answer 9

I would talk with your neighbor,and find out if they have any further plans re: further fences. It would be nice to have a neighbor who is willing to share expenses. You could also ask/tell them you are planning on fencing that site yourself, and they may let you, or they might offer to share expense. You arn,t obligated to do anything. You sound like a good, thoughtful neighbor tho!!!

Answer 10

i'm getting ready to rip the current fence down around all three sides ( with the permisson from the neighbors) to put up a private fencing. I didn't ask them to pay for half since im taking down the old and removing it. you could ask the nieghbor with out fencing to go in half with you to finish the yard in, now they might not want to if they have more fencing to put in ( othersides of their yard) so you might just want to buy and put it in yourself. I did however ask if i would go off the posts that were already there and they said sure. so i guess its just up to you in talking with your neighbors and seeing what their veiw is on it. never hurts to just ask.