If these approaches do not work, your fallback option is to refuse to pay anything, and then add a new panel on your own property that matches your initial two, such that there would be two fence panels between your home and your neighbor's. This is not uncommon in suburban areas. Or is it apparent the uphill neighbor backfilled their property for one reason or another which created the need for the wall? Waterproofing basement walls before finishing. The letters are available for $350, and can be purchased by contacting our Business Real Estate Group . I enjoy what I see, therefore Ive decided to follow you. Two questions: Our situation is different then all the comments I have read. The slats are winged vinyl so I have to poison from above and it is becoming too big of a job. Any tips on how to proceed? It is only after the mediation process fails are the neighbors then advised to take the matter to court. A common dispute among neighbors is who owns, as well as who is responsible for maintaining the fence between their properties. Must-dos. Using the website, you can get 3 estimates fast by real certified experts in your area in just 2 minutes. Can I still take him to court. Maybe higher. Ft. Worth based equine attorney, Alison Rowe, has compiled nearly all of the stock laws across the state and will provide this information for a copying fee upon request. However, they will need a permit in order to do so. Once you get three estimates from reputable companies, present them to her, then decide on a fence contractor, and send your neighbor the 30-day notice. He did. I wish I could help you, if you live around the Concord, CA. Often, six feet is the maximum height anywhere on the property, except for: Within 15 feet of a street line or street curb. It leaves me in this terrible circle. Their fence does nothing to secure my property. Can we keep the planks and not remove it? Next door landlord(just purchased the land) approach me daughter of owner of the house & ask to sloppy cost on shared fence that was very water damaged. Before I can answer your question as to who would be responsible for the retaining wall I need to know the following information: -Whose property if higher up, i.e. The fence was not leaning and still standing up and was holding up to natural elements such as wind but the neighbor claimed he or his dog could break the planks. If they refuse, you can go to a mediator in order to try to get them to pay their share of the cost. There is a fence that runs right through our parcel it is aprox. Ive got all my quotes and now guess what.. none of them will agree to the job unless both homeowners consent! Don't have a library account? Also, in this ambivalent neighbor scenario, your neighbor is under no obligation to put any money towards your new fence, even if he/she derives some benefit from it. 49. If he asks, and you dont want to pay for any of the fence I would just repeat what I have said here, and that should be the end of it! Neighbor wants to replace fallen fence due to construction on his property. If you don't have a plat, you may need to hire a land surveyor to conduct a new survey (this will cost about $500-$1,000). My neighbor fence between the driveways in California needs to be replaced from wind damage last December. What do you do when neighbors erect a fence which blocks the light into your home? It offers a free service that quickly matches you with the top-voted local expert fence contractors. So he got one estimate and paid the company and then demanded I pay half. The law becomes a little unclear in instances such as yours but the major factor which is going to decide who is legally responsible is whether or not you have a fence around any part of your yard that is connected to this fence that he wants you to pay half of to replace? Also during the raining season, we need to do the roof and siding work asap before the raining season. Where it is on the property line, they need to get your permission before building it, and should attempt to come to an agreement on the price. Not only did you not own the house when it was replaced, but even if you did, they would have to give you a 30-day notice if you refused to pay half. Can you paint basement floor with Drylok? This can cause conflict, particularly where a fence you built is actually in your neighbour's yard. You cannot force or report the neighbor since they are not legally obligated. During these early years, most of the neighborhood had children. . This can result in the inconvenience of having to remove the fence and start afresh. Fence companies usually install a foot inside the line, to be on the safe side. I think she should pay half. Whos fence is it and do we have the freedom to modify it or remove it without permission from the neighbors? Fences and boundary lines are a common source of grievance among neighbors, with the Texas Law State Library saying: "A common dispute among neighbors is who owns, as well as who is. If the failure is due to encroachment by my neighbors trees, should they bear the full cost? Our neighbor just built a fence on the property line without any discussion with us that separates our 2 lower side yards, so we now have no access to the area under our side stairs. He didn't ask me for anything. Are you trying to say the fence will be in the front yard and therefore is not necessary or does it extend from the backyard all the way through to the front. Yes, the 30 day timeline still applies, but I would have to imagine a judge would take the extenuating circumstances into account. What happens if the Neighbour refuses to pay for a fence? I told them they need to trim back their trees and shrubs and that I would be getting estimates to repair the fence and take them to small claims court. Especially since they are quite a bit more expensive and in theory will last a lifetime. So now HOA is advising me to serve her with the 30 days notice and if she still refuses to then take her to small claims to have the judge order her to agree to the fence replacement and payment. We did not like it. I have issues with that because the old fence had the planks on my side. I told them if we dont hear from them in 7 days to expect construction in 30 days from the response deadline. Now in your case it seems that although it was a custom built fence and not prefabricated panels, it was very poorly built and looks terrible? Under BC law, either neighbour can apply to court for a resolution. Brian, sounds like you have it pretty much figured out. Our good neighor fence was damaged when their yard shed became a projectile because it was in bad repair , not anchored to a base . What can I do Im being harassed. A dispute over a North Carolina family using another's private driveway resulted in the construction a four-tire-high, 200-foot "work of art" sourced from a local landfill along their property line in 2018. "I even offered to pay for half and to do the work," he added. Texas Best Fence & Patio 426 Southfork Dr Lewisville, Texas 75057 Phone: (972) 245-0640. a picture frame fence since it looks the same from both sides, or when a basic nail-up fence is built with alternating panels, hence both neighbors get equal shares of the bad and good sides. As far as tearing down part of his fence. Texas does not have a specific state law that addresses boundary line fences. All rights reserved. The neighbor verbally agreed to this via texts and I sent quotes via texts. We need to have some stucco repair to the side of our house in that area and would like to be able to get in there periodically to weed, etc. He also damaged a small two foot retaining wall that serves in that corner of my yard as a decorative feature as well as a way to halt erosion. I appreciate your comment, but you must realize the majority of the time, these cases will be fought in small claims court by neighbors without much legal knowledge or without additional attorneys and the judge will likely follow the letter of the law. Im just wondering if the wording of the invoice would create any sort of legal rights to the neighbor; if so, should I have the contractor change the wording? The quotes Ive gotten for a survey are from $750 to >$6000 depending on how much work they need to do, well in excess of the cost of replacing that portion of the fence. Thank you. I have no contract with the men who put up my fence since there both Nccrc union works who pick this up as a side job. ), As he approached my wife in such a critical harsh manner I feel less inclined to offer him anything. one side is finished and the other isnt), then the less-attractive side should face your property. Should My Neighbor Help Pay for My Fence? See ourMunicipal Laws and Ordinancespage for assistance locating your local laws. What should I do? According to the applicable law in Texas, it is not mandatory for a neighbor to pay half of the fence. Sat - Sun: Closed. Request Repairs Notify your landlord by phone and in writing that the fence needs repaired as soon. In the Woodlands and many other neighborhoods in Houston, fences are required to have the picket side facing any public roads. Call a minimum of 3 fencing companies, such as. Home Garden Guides3023 E 1st St Long Beach, California+1 (657) 655 8708, 2022 Go Quotes Pty Ltd Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Site Map, Compare Fencing Installation Estimates Now. Most houses have nothing between them in the front yards other than a concrete mowing strip or plants, if anything. It is only after the neighbor seems reluctant to participate in sharing the costs should you then proceed with the formal notice. Today I go into my yard to find our shared fence down! There are a few basic rules that govern dividing fences. Shirley Jean. Fine. They will help you accurately identify the property lines. 32 of additional fence along the property line serves the neighbor alone as his gate is closer to the front of his house. The neighbor does not want to share the cost to fix it, and states it is my sole responsibility. Most likely your neighbor did it purely for aesthetic reasons, and that is not a valid reason if he wished to be reimbursed for half the costs down the road. Yes, you can pay your neighbor to pay half. Shouldnt they have to replace the fence since they removed it? Most states make it mandatory for the person intending to replace or remove a dividing fence to at least serve their neighbor with a written notice before making any changes. If your dog injures the other pet owner, you may be held liable for the person's medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, on top of veterinary care for the other dog.. Most HOAs have rules and regulations governing fence erection and erecting a fence that blocks light into a home is against the rules, they can force the neighbor to remove the fence. I am willing to pay for fixing the fence as needed but it does not need to be replaced with a new fence. neighbors. Your neighbor is on the hook for half of the new fence. For more information or questions please call RC FENCES @ (925) 405-7658 or email at [emailprotected]. Answer questions about your security fence needs. The other 400ft i f that line of fence is livestock open space fencing. Therefore the law states that this fence is not benefitting your neighbor. I have 2 concerns, would we need to pay for the sections that dont enclose our backyard? Your neighbor is not legally required to pay half of the fence. At the very least they are very cheap, which would mean an inferior crappy fence that isnt going to last as long as it should! This guy is very unstable and recently called the cops on me for vandalizing his toyota camary because my sprinkler popped and (lightly) sprayed his cars passenger side, which he berated me for. He came and did the job. A final option is to erect a new fence on your own land at your own expense, alongside your neighbour's old one. The fence needs to be repair. Some years back, with consent from the prior owner of the neighboring house, my husband paid for and built a fence in our FRONT yard between our driveway and neighbors side yard for growing plants on (decorative). Here is the Actual Law for those of you who like reading this sort of stuff CIVIL CODE Section 841, And for those of you who would rather read a laymans description of the California Good Neighbor Fence Law, here goes. Insights from a Residential Fencing Company in Deerfield, Illinois, What Residential Fence Materials Are Available? Since the water is now drawing towards my side of the property. Where on earth this belief ever came from is unknown, but it is widely accepted and 100% wrong! Am I still responsible for half? Posted by 4 years ago. She was under the impression that HOA would cover the cost, but after kindly explaining this isnt the case she has grown more difficult. It seems we can not agree. I have now recently discovered he placed video surveillance pointed /monitoring my front yard. Lastly, the neighbor failed to serve the notice to you. This appears to be the pattern on our block. I am willing to fix it but she wants a new fence. If and when we need to replace the fence sooner that should have to be, what action should I take since he doesnt seem to comprehend that what he has done is probably illegal. I sent the neighbors a demand letter as they would not answer the door to us for several months of trying (nearly a dozen times). Copyright 2023 Consort Design | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, Understand What The Law Says About Fences In Texas, Engage The Neighbor To See What Their Position Is, Way Forward If The Neighbor Refuses To Pay Half Fence, Can I Remove Neighbors Fence On My Property, Can My Neighbor Paint My Fence On Their Side. Undercommon law, Texas is an "open range"state,meaning that a livestock owner does not have a legal duty to prevent animals from getting onto the roadway. You sound very knowledgable, friendly, and it sure looks like you build some top notch fencing. At this point I dont care about the money but he keeps saying he paid for the last 3 fences which is not true. If you are inferring above that another option would be to repair, then you have missed the actual basis for this article. Yes, he does. Apparently our fence was in bad shape, and the townhouses owners wanted it removed because they thought it was ugly. At least you will enjoy sole power over the fence. I will have to replace the rest of the fence to install the gate since I am moving it. I informed him that I already have a contractor in place but he was insistent that I use who they subcontract through and ordered me not to proceed any further. The development has remained pretty much the same over the years, and only a handful of people chose to put up decorative front yard fences. They have their vinyl fence and we have our wooden fence (though not economically sound). Who is liable when vehicles on a roadway hit livestock? If you have any further questions regarding Californias Good Neighbor Fence Law call RC Fences today and we can walk you step by step through the entire process to make sure you dont make any mistakes and risk having to pay the entire cost of your new beautiful fence! 200 from either boundary. So we did pay half, but our side looks as good as his. Generally, each neighbor is equally responsible for boundary line fences. There are three main definitions: Occupancy: use of the land up to the fence I figure if its on mine I have complete control although I will most likely make enemies with my neighbor. State they didnt have insurance policies he wanted. To keep the peace, we planted shrubs that created a barrier between our lawn and THEIR fence, so nobody can get to their fence from our side. Notice of Intent to Alter Shared Boundary Fence. The neighbor and his fence company will then need to do what any reputable company would do and fix it to make sure both adjoining neighbors are 100% satisfied with the final fence. The fence is attached on two sides to my neighbors existing fence. Every state defines "use" differently (see above), but most laws are satisfied when a property owner encloses their property by using an existing fence. However, if one neighbor wants the fence and the other neighbor doesn't, the fence builder can require the neighbor to pay half the cost of the fence even if the neighbor doesn't want the fence, doesn't have cattle or doesn't want to pay for the fence. It is entirely visible on their side. As a result, provided both neighbors are using a fence, the law stipulates that the costs of installing and maintaining the fence should be shared equally between the neighbors. However, generally, neighbors usually share in the cost of a fence provided it is a dividing fence that sits on the property line. The whole development had to hire their own landscapers to do their front yards. This year the fence is leaning towards our house and part of the fence is on the ground, my wife got 3 bids and has contacted a contractor to build a new fence she sent a letter to the gentleman to tell him we are going to replace the fence and He sent us an e mail and I quote as for sending me a bill for my portion of the fence, since I personaly did not agree to participate in the replacement there for I will not pay anything. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and dead guesses about fence laws. Hi RC fencing! There were no fences and the neighborhood kids played freely in the yards from house to house. First off, does she have the expertise to build a fence like a company that specializes in building fences and provides a warranty, which your not going to get with her? What happens then? Contact your local government. this information even though informative it only benefit the contractor. This applies to both the costs of maintaining and installing the fence. Theres an easement/driveway between my backyard and my neighbors front yard. The first step in dealing with this is to talk to your neighbor and then compare deed copies. Often times this gesture will include the neighbor having some input into the fences design. Neighbors dont always have to share the cost of a fence. Not your property, not your fence. Vancouver, BC. It also costs less than litigation, making it a more pocket-friendly alternative to going to court. Is there anything I can do to stop neighbors from bullying me? against one of my trees. So Im in very different situation from any Ive read. Its an aesthetic preference that she wants a brand new fence. Rule 4: A neighbor cannot replace or remove a dividing fence without the consent, or at least notifying, the other neighbor. The new neighbor had a dog and wished to build a fenced-in yard, the 1st on our side of the street. Apart from etiquette, decency to your neighbour, or even the "right" thing to do, the fence should show the "good side outwards. The neighbor wants me to replace the fence and pay for it 100%, saying this is not a boundary fence. Once that dog bites em he'll stop. Now we are stuck and the cost is adding everyday to put home on market for sale. 167, 168 and. If your home is in such an area, then reporting the matter to the local authority is something that you should consider doing. My gate is set back from the street more than my neighbors. The most common dispute is who will incur the costs and whether or not there should be a shared responsibility due to the equal benefit the fence will have. Can I build a fence on my side of the property line? As the law is on your side, the case is a sure win, as long as you followed the proper procedure outlined above. This is because they will be trying to avoid contentions. The only issue is now you must collect the amount ordered to be paid to you. 3 quotes The existing fence isnt bad at all. In that case, if a neighbor builds a fence, the fenceless owner doesn't have the pay for it. Do we owe anyliability and responsibility to the neighbors? One neighbor is not financially able to split the cost but said he would try and chip in what he could. The amount to pay is not a small amount and it can take a long time to collect. Claiming to only want to speak to said contractor or my brother( union famer but didnt live here) not me or my mother. Cities or property owner associationswill often try to regulate things such as fence heightbut for disputes involving ownership or maintenance, those will often need to be settled in court if the neighbors cannot come to an agreement on their own. To learn more about how property owners' associations can enforce rules within their communities, check out the Enforcement of CC&Rs page of the Property Owners' Association research guide. The court can do one of three things: Order removal. Therefore you will need to pay 100% of the costs of replacement! I am not quite sure I fully understand your question. Yes, your right there is a defense one could present in court to fight the assumption that they owe half. The rest of the fence between our backyards is fine. It does not extend the full length of the front yard (only about 15 feet of 45 or so). They have the planks on their side and our side has the 2x4s. , 14 S.W. Hi Annie, thanks for the great question! If she fails to respond, you will then go ahead with the construction (just make sure and inform her the days they will be replacing the fence in case she has dogs, etc.) Pay for the fence and then send a legal demand upon him to pay his share. Chapter 15 of this book discusses neighborly problems. We gave them a written letter explaining that we would be repairing the fence along with their equal responsibility for the cost of repair. They would then have the law on their side and if they went through the proper steps outlined above, most likely would win a judgment against you. Secondly, I wouldnt pay them a dime if I were you. Yes, there are no provisions in the statute to account for one neighbors actions, i.e. Do Neighbors have to share the cost of a fence? My neighbor just put up a new fence. again please do not pay him a dime. If you dont approve of this my advice would be to split the cost equally in which you will probably have to agree to alternate panels or build a good neighbor fence. Certified letter of intent