Damaged fencing
futuremrswilkinson
Posts: 1
I own the middle of three terraced houses and there's a perimeter fences which goes around the rear gardens of all three properties. The fence post in one of my neighbours gardens snapped during the gales in the winter and left the fence wafting around in the winds, damaging our section of fence, snapping one of our posts and twisting our garden gate. Despite repeated requests their landlord took a long time to send someone out to fix their section of fence. We came home from work one day to find a botched job had been done - some wood nailed over their snapped fence post, our snapped fence post and our garden gate wedged on the outside of the fence. We voiced our concerns to the neighbour who got a bit cocky, if I'm honest, and said it wasn't his problem and that he wouldn't call the landlord again. In order to keep our fence shut, we've had to screw it shut as we have dogs, so we can't use our back garden gate.
We're now debating separating our section from theirs, replacing our snapped fence post and concreting a new one in properly and fixing (probably replacing) the gate. Is this likely to present any legal issues?
Posts
I cannot see that you repairing or replacing a section of your fence and your gate should bring up any legal issues
It is your boundry fence after all. In law you are also respobsible for the fence on the right faacing towards your back gate... Assunimg your garden is a standard shape..
I wouldn't deal with the tenant myself, obviously its a private let and it seems it might not be too legal either. All landlords are supposed to have 'Landlord's insurance.. This should cover property maintaianance with regard to boundry.
You can find out who the owner is from various souces one being the Land Registry. Also ask the local council as the Land Lord has to register for Community Charge etc.. This would be free, a search on the land might cost.
Do you have buildings insurance yourself, maybe you can look on your policy to see if it gives you Legal cover as you might want to claim for the cost of the damage to your gate and fences because of the other owners botched job. Any Excess insurance fee can always be claimedback via the Small claims court..
Do not get stressed out by this tenamt or the landlord.
Last edited: 28 May 2017 14:24:09