Fence Broken

[smurfchops]

We had a 20 year old 6 foot larch lap fence in perfect condition. Next doors kids have a goal post on their side and often miss, and bang their football against our fence. Now one panel is hanging off and two other panels have large holes in them. We had two of their footballs in our garden, one was in a hedge and a large hole where it came through. They have now taken them back but no more football playing since. I have taken photos. The part of the fence away from the goal post is still in perfect condition. The neighbour doesnt want to pay for the new panels. Where do we stand if he does nothing about it and how long do we give him to get it done?

[Peter Pedant]

write a letter
give him four weeks
and then off to the small claims court

be sure you want to give time to this rather than just pay for the panels
you will spend so much time on this that at some point in the future you will wonder

I post quite a lot here and I only go to court when a tenant refuses to pay AND refuses to vacate ....for example

[Peter Pedant]

oh you need to replace the panels before charging him
send him a copy of the receipt and ask for payment

[Cloverjo]

I think I might say to the neighbour: I won't make you pay for the replacement panels as long as the kids don't bash my fence with their football again.

Could be a small price to pay for peace.

[Peter Pedant]

i agree clove
;arch panels are for twenty y
but neighbours may be for life ....

[Peter Pedant]

o and the larch panels are silent
which you cant say about neighbours !

[bhg481]

It's not worth falling out with the neighbours over. They've stopped the football, so they seem to have learned.

[Peter Pedant]

agree bhg
vitally important to keep onside with neighbours

[bhg481]

I always remember the lawyer who used to be on the radio with Jimmy Young on Fridays. His advice was never to fall out with the neighbours over their children. What the children do is transient, however irritating. After a few years they change their behaviour and/or leave home; you're stuck with the nieghbours for years.

[cassa333]

I would question the perfect condition of 20 year old fences!

If you want to fall out with your neighbours sue them for replacements.

However I would be tempted to replace them but on their side reinforce them with some stout baton in different colours of neon luminous paint.