Help with neighbor issues regarding dilapidated fence

[Nikki]

I have replaced most of the rusty old bent chain link fencing on my property with new wood fencing. 2 of my 3 neighbors gave us permission with no problems at all, and one even offered to split the cost. However, one side of our property borders a rental property.

We have nicely asked the owner if we could replace the ugly dilapidated chain link fence, and assume all costs involved. (The existing fence appears to have been shared by both of our properties, since the same brand of fencing is used in both yards). And he actually said NO! He simply said he would rather keep the existing fence. Well, this "fence" has been run into multiple times and is horribly bent, rusty, and just plain ugly. Its an eyesore that it no doubt bringing down our property value and allowing us ZERO privacy from his tenants.

To make it even worse, I can't plant ANYTHING on this property line to cover up the fence, since it is very shady and the darn Walnut trees on his property line secrete something from their roots that kills most plants.

Any suggestions on what I can do? I thought about building a fence right next to it, but that would make it tough to maintain. We have a very small lot, so I don't want to lose any more usable footage than I absolutely have to:(

[chyna]

About all I can think of is to build the new fence right up against his fence. Other than that maybe put up some panels spaced along the fence line to grow things up or at least give you some sort of sense of privacy. That's what I'm planning on doing this summer at my place. the people next door made some mention of putting in a privacy fence and going halfsies with us but I have a feeling they are in financial trouble and that doesn't look like it is going to happen. :(

I saw on HGTV where these people put fabric panels along their fence to block the view of the neighbors. Nice idea, I would have had a fit if I'd seen them next door to me (nylon in orange and other bright colors, sorta juvenile) so I'm thinking lattice for us.

Are there any laws or by-laws in your town that would force the owner to do something with his fence? Maybe you'll have to go that route.

[ChapterTwo]

Without reading what you both thought to do, my idea was also to just put the fence right up next to his. It's not going to bother his property, and you won't have to look at his rotten ol' fence.

[CohenCottage]

I vote putting the fence up right next to his (ugly side out) if you need the yard to be secure for pets, kids, etc.. If security isn't an issue, I would recommend some sort of panel (outdoor fabric, willow fencing, bamboo, etc.). Cali Bamboo has instructions on their website for attaching bamboo panels to an existing fence or wall.

You could also plant screening plants in containers that you stagger along the fence line (maybe a shade tolerant bamboo or something like that). That would give you privacy and greenery even though the trees are there. We may do this at the bottom of the hill that adjoins our neighbor's yard. She's got an ugly back yard and we can see in her house. We don't want to plant bamboo b/c it might take over, but in containers at the bottom of the hill might work!

Good luck!

[ChapterTwo]

I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but where I live you must put the good side of the fence out towards the neighbor.

And as for attaching bamboo/fabric to the fence, that gets a little dicey if it is really HIS fence. If he's a crab, he'll be complaining...

Does bamboo make it through cold winters, or is it just for warm climates?
(I have a feeling that's the case...)

[CohenCottage]

I think the fencing regulations differ depending on the local rules. Our codes aren't really enforced (hence the crack houses with prostitutes). If the neighbor is a jerk and you won't get fined, I would make him look at the ugly side!

If I remember correctly, the bamboo is very durable b/c they cap the ends so water can't seep into it. I believe it's for use in all climates, but that Cali Bamboo website will probably be able to tell you.

[memmey]

I am going through something simular sort of...I went to the court house and got the papers on my property you know the plat ( sp?) of my property. In Louisiana a fence is suppose to be placed within 3 inches of the actual property line. Why would you have to ask the man next door? It is your property. If you bought your home and lot then you own it( and the bank, I suppose) you do not have to get permission from him.
Did they survey your property before you bought the house? His so called fence may be on YOUR property if it is beaten up and not straight. They have to establish the corners of your lot/property in the survey and you can get the name of the survey company off of your home documents and they can come out and find the survey markers for the property.
Unless I don't really understand what you asked , you can do as you wish on your property.

[CohenCottage]

Having the survey company come out to locate your line is a GREAT idea!!! We did that when we were having crazy neighbor disputes, and just the act of putting up the line totally changed our neighbor's attitude. Even if it doesn't help, you will at least be sure that you are putting a fence at your exact line!

[shabbychick]

Personally, I would totally lose control of my car one night and accidentally run over the fence a couple of dozen times.

[ChapterTwo]

Thanks, Shabbychick...I REALLY needed that laugh!!:D

CohenCottage - Is that expensive to have the survey company come out?

[mac78]

Personally, I would totally lose control of my car one night and accidentally run over the fence a couple of dozen times.

I had to laugh at this......I have told my daughter to OOPS step on the gas instead of the brake when putting car in garage......new kitchen because she would go right thru the wall. lol (JK, but a good thought)

[CohenCottage]

It was free!!

[chyna]

We had a dispute (and probably still do) with one of our neighbors about the property line and fence line and what our city says is that if someone has already put up a fence then that is now the fenceline and they can't do a darn thing about it if you go right up to it. I can't tell you how much trouble we went thru for that fence. We measured from street corners, counted sidewalk marks, called the city, called a surveyer friend, measured from established property markers and still that b*tch argued with us. In the end we couldn't go straight down the property line because the previous owner had an underground sprinkler system put in and the heads are oversized and surprise, surprise are on my property. So we put our fence as close to it as possible without damaging those sprinkler heads but if they should ever come out you can be sure I'll be out there trying to move my fence over those 5 or so inches. :mad: The previous owners would be the people who had her grandson walk thru my yard with the lawnmower because she didn't want him to use the side gate, would walk around on my property spraying her weeds thru the fence, fill in the holes her dog dug under her fence on my side (so I took her bricks and used them :p), informed me that since she planted the evergreen in my yard she could come and water it if she wanted :rolleyes:. Oh you know why I wanted a fence from the moment we moved in! Too bad I didn't get the fence until after she left. I would have loved to have seen her face on that one. :D

[cheapdiva]

CT

I'm in total agreement - put up your fence with the ugly side facing his lot. What does he care? He doesn't live there - he rents it out and doesn't take care of his property.
Or several of us could come and drive into the fence!!

P.S. What's with the new avatar?

[chyna]

I actually like the ugly side of the fence because then you can hang stuff off the support and the posts. We just haven't decided on if we want to tell the nasty woman next door that or not. If it would make her life better and happy I'm not sure I'd go along with it.

Fences, they make for good neighbors but sometimes they can lead to some bad feuds. :rolleyes:

[Gigi]

Talkin' about neighbors---:mad: :confused:

At our new beach house ( well 6 months in)- we still had not met with one neighbor-directly next to us....

We had such a warm welcome- last weekend- our neighbor walked over and said he was going to shoot our dogs because they were going to attack him". In fact he said it twice in the conversation with my husband. My husband told him that our dogs were not aggressive- so it probably was a mistake in indentity.... We have a lab-and two small dogs that are mixed :rolleyes: I've never seen them be aggressive, etc... ummm....

What a warm friendly welcome---and get this he is a Pastor at a local church- go figure.

[annielinz]

Gigi,:eek:that is so scary that he would even say that to you! All I can say is wow.

[ChapterTwo]

---and get this he is a Pastor at a local church- go figure.

Gee, I would love to see how compassionate he is towards the parishioners...
:o

[chyna]

Was he joking?:eek: What a lovely guy either way, take it he won't be officiating at your son's wedding right? ;)

[yarborough house]

And I thought it was just preacher's kids that you were supposed to steer clear of. Now it is known that it is the preacher too.
And another question - how many preachers have guns? Isn't killing a sin?

[Gigi]

I was thinking about doing a police report :cool:... just to have this on record. The funny thing is my dog are in an electric fence- and the only thing I can think of it that my lab- Bella- has barked at them on their driveway.

I couldn't believe a "man of the cloth" would act so insane- but now a days- people are doing crazy things.

[ChapterTwo]

I couldn't believe a "man of the cloth" would act so insane- but now a days- people are doing crazy things.


Oh, Gigi...you have to give up THAT thought. Thinnk of the Catholic Church and all the depraved things some of their priests did...
Their vestments don't automatically make them any better than anyone else. Not that there aren't a lot of wonderful ministers/priests...

I do think it wouldn't be a bad idea to have the incident on record with your police department.

[Gigi]

Hi ChapterTwo- I have to agree with you there- no surprises in any order of the church :(...

On side of me wants to make real peace with this neighbor and ask him to come over and meet the dogs, etc...

[chyna]

I was thinking the same thing that you should do a police report just "in case". Reminds me of a joke email I saw not long ago about All Dogs Go to Heaven. One church was posting on their board that dogs have souls therefore go to Heaven and the church across the street from them would argue on their board that animals don't have souls, this went back and forth for a few weeks and it ended up that dogs of one faith have souls and the dogs of the other faith were soulless. Perhaps he's of that faith and doesn't consider dogs as being a living creature.

Maybe you can introduce yourself to the wife and maybe introduce the dogs or somethng. What a PIA.:(:mad:

[Breezy]

Gigi ~ I'd try to do a police report too. Maybe they could have a nice chat with him so he doesn't do that again.
That's really scary and makes you wonder if he does have a gun?
In any case it's obvious that the man doesn't practice what he preaches.

[cheapdiva]

whoa - you have a NUT living next door! DO invite him over to get to know the dogs and if he still makes those kind of remarks, absolutely, let the police know. Whack job!

[Lisa S]

Yikes! That's really disturbing. I think I'd be very straightforward with him and tell him the comment bothered you. I would definitely make a police report.

Heavy sigh... I'm keep chanting my mantra: There are more good people than bad, there are more good people than bad... Am I convinced yet?

[Suz]

Ah man Gigi, how horrible was that of him to say that?? The fact that he is a pastor does not really shock me at all. I have seen so many "pillars of the community" end up on TV the newspaper, or arrested for just absolutely crazy things!

what a creep.:mad:

[Gigi]

I appreciate everyone's support--I'll let you know what I end up doing :cool:

Can't we all just get along????? :D :(