Fence panel advice
mr_eddy
Posts: 830
So my next door neighbour stated yesterday that he was going to be replacing some of the fence panels due to ivy damage - He was not angry just simply stating as if to say that we should expect some noise and disruption, He said that its his side (which it legally is - He owns the fence) so he accepted that he had to change the panels. The issue is that the Ivy is from our side of the garden and whilst we only moved in a year ago and the damage clearly has been happening over a number of years the fact remains the damage has been caused by ivy from our garden.
He has not asked for payment etc just mentioned that he was replacing the panels. I am not sure if he was sub-conciously hoping we would offer payment and to some extent I can see how we could be held responsible - The ivy is from our side at the end of the day.
My issue is that my wife hates our neighbour (with good reason they leave their dogs barking outside and have loud music playing on sunny days) so she would refuse to do anything to resolve even if it was our responsibility, She is VERY stubborn so unless we had a summons she would not do a damn thing. I cannot be seen to take his side but I do feel somewhat guilty, I know if the situation was reversed I would be pi**ed off if my neighbours Ivy ruined my fence.
I am more liberal than my wife and I think more of the big picture, Part of me thinks that it would be a kind gesture to offer some form of gratitude given that it was OUR ivy that destroyed HIS fence and ultimately this would hopefully paint us in a better light. Should I offer some thank you gesture ? Maybe not financial but I thought about a box of chocs and a bottle of wine with a card simply saying:
"Just to let you know we appreciate that the Ivy from our garden has caused fence weakness and whilst we understand that boundary agreement suggested the fence is yours to replace we do appreciate that our Ivy was the root (no pun intended) cause of the problem, We have taken steps to ensure this will not be an issue in the future namely removed as much Ivy as we can and treated the roots with herbicide. As you know we only moved in 1 year ago and given that the fencing is some what obscured by the large connifer trees we were not aware of the damage that the ivy was causing. Please enjoy this wine and box of chocolates as our appreciation for your recent work"
Then again the above shows that we are clearly taking responsibility and they then may use this as ammo to try and get us to pay for the whole fence ?
Should I just ignore ? As I said he has not asked for any money etc and given that we have to put up with a lot of their nonsense like the dogs barking or their teenager playing really loud hip hop through open windows or them parking right outside our house every night meaning we have to park on another street (granted not assigned parking but they have 4 cars and only 2 people in the house so does take the piss a bit)
Thoughts ?
FYI - The Ivy is now gone and the remaining roots have been drilled and filled with hardcore Resolva stump killer.
He has not asked for payment etc just mentioned that he was replacing the panels. I am not sure if he was sub-conciously hoping we would offer payment and to some extent I can see how we could be held responsible - The ivy is from our side at the end of the day.
My issue is that my wife hates our neighbour (with good reason they leave their dogs barking outside and have loud music playing on sunny days) so she would refuse to do anything to resolve even if it was our responsibility, She is VERY stubborn so unless we had a summons she would not do a damn thing. I cannot be seen to take his side but I do feel somewhat guilty, I know if the situation was reversed I would be pi**ed off if my neighbours Ivy ruined my fence.
I am more liberal than my wife and I think more of the big picture, Part of me thinks that it would be a kind gesture to offer some form of gratitude given that it was OUR ivy that destroyed HIS fence and ultimately this would hopefully paint us in a better light. Should I offer some thank you gesture ? Maybe not financial but I thought about a box of chocs and a bottle of wine with a card simply saying:
"Just to let you know we appreciate that the Ivy from our garden has caused fence weakness and whilst we understand that boundary agreement suggested the fence is yours to replace we do appreciate that our Ivy was the root (no pun intended) cause of the problem, We have taken steps to ensure this will not be an issue in the future namely removed as much Ivy as we can and treated the roots with herbicide. As you know we only moved in 1 year ago and given that the fencing is some what obscured by the large connifer trees we were not aware of the damage that the ivy was causing. Please enjoy this wine and box of chocolates as our appreciation for your recent work"
Then again the above shows that we are clearly taking responsibility and they then may use this as ammo to try and get us to pay for the whole fence ?
Should I just ignore ? As I said he has not asked for any money etc and given that we have to put up with a lot of their nonsense like the dogs barking or their teenager playing really loud hip hop through open windows or them parking right outside our house every night meaning we have to park on another street (granted not assigned parking but they have 4 cars and only 2 people in the house so does take the piss a bit)
Thoughts ?
FYI - The Ivy is now gone and the remaining roots have been drilled and filled with hardcore Resolva stump killer.
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Comments
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My wife's argument is that they did not tell us that the Ivy was destroying the fence but on the flip side they could also argue that we are responsible for our garden so we should have kept it in check.
No 1 priority is to avoid an argument with the missus any other possible solutions ?
Should I just shut up and hope we don't hear anything more about it ?0 -
Last thing I want is my neighbour tying to sue us for criminal damage or whatever.0
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From the info. above I got the impression that the neighbour is letting you know that he is having to replace the panels due to historic/continued damage from the ivy in your garden and if you could ensure it doesn't happen again (which you say you already have) that'd be great ...
If you (or your wife) feel the need to be passive aggresive about it, say you will be putting something else in it's place as it acts as a good sound block ...
I'd personally stick with letting him know you have done your bit in removing the ivy and leave it at that ...Life is unfair, kill yourself or get over it.0 -
Why not offer to help. It's the neighbourly thing to do. Builds bridges and all that c**p.
If all else fails. Move.Always be yourself, unless you can be Aaron Rodgers....Then always be Aaron Rodgers.0 -
OP - I think you're over-thinking this. Let him replace the fence and make sure you don't let anything from your side damage it.
I have a fence that the neighbour's plants have damaged over time. We just trim the plants and would, if necessary, ask the neighbour to do the same.ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH0 -
Ok thanks for the advice - As per usual I think I am over thinking this - If I am around on Sat I will offer to help but failing that think I am just going to leave it.
Ta.0 -
No way that sucker is growing back - I put in quite alot of stump killer and I will be repeating the process every week. As a extra measure my mum said she has some 'stuff' that she got given to her a few years ago by a landscape gardener friend. By all accounts this stuff requires a license to purchase so may wack a bit of that on as well. All else fails I will get the chainsaw out and hack that sucker to pieces LOL!0
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Leave it or offer to pay half, I wouldn't do the flowers and chocolates thing it's kind of accepting responsibility while leaving him to put it right.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0
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Karma .....Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
You've done enough by killing off the ivy from your side. Tell him you've done so and leave at that. Sounds like the ivy encroachment has been going on for years, and while you do inherit issues when taking on the property, equally he ain't done much about it before now and let the fence get damaged.
Edit: take it easy with the noxious stuff, give it the correct dose and leave to work. Don't spray it every week, let it die back then redo if any regrowth appears. (Fully licenced PA1/6 killer me).0 -
Set fire to his house.
I had similar issue with some weird tree type thing that was groing over from neighbour's garden. I just got the bow saw out and cut it down. He was fine about it.
In your situation I wouldn't do anything other than make sure the ivy doesn't grow back again and maybe buy massive speakers.0 -
^this, your neighbour has kept you informed, he's not doing anything to hurt you, offer to help, you never know you may even resolve the dogs barking and the music issues over a cuppa during a breakMr Goo wrote:Why not offer to help. It's the neighbourly thing to do. Builds bridges and all that c**p.
If all else fails. Move.All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....0 -
What ever you do, do not get into a legal tussell with your neighbour.
When you come to move you will need to declare any disputes with your neighbours.
If you lie on the form and the new owner gets any issues they can sue you.0
