Ceriann
Well-Known Member
We have two paddocks that back on to our neighbours land. One paddocks backs in to their paddock, the other backs on to their little woodland/garden (with mixed hedging inside their boundary). In each case the property deeds state its our neighbours responsibilty to maintain stock proof fencing. The fencing for the paddock on paddock has been dodgy for years - we’ve patched it up etc, always fixing damage caused by our horses but its getting to the point of no return. So we approached neighbours and said we’d sort it if they helped (physically not by paying). They agreed but asked if we’d pop a gate - we occassionally graze our sheep on their field (mutually beneficial) and they access our poo pile for fertiliser. In the last few days they’ve asked us to also sort the paddock on garden fencing, specifically asking us to replace it in a way that stops my horses chewing bark on their trees. We’ve checked the fence, its not in bad condition, also replacing a couple of rails. Horses have chewed bark on two trees (not poisonous - ive always checked boundary trees). We will pop some electric fencing to discourage them where its needed too. When my OH popped over to see them to explain what we’d done/will do (and to say we saw no reason to replace that fencing), responsibility was raised and it was apparent they knew the position under the deeds. My OH has now taken the hump and thinks they are taking the mick. He’s also worried we create the wrong precedent if we now take the lead and pay for any of the fencing. I do think they’ve been cheeky and dont want to create an expectation that we pay for all of this but want to get to a position the dodgy fencing is sorted. Nothing like a boundary chat to sour neighbour relations!!
