I moved into my house two years ago, and the fence on my neighbor's side is very old and in bad shape. About a year ago, my neighbor approached me and suggested we split the cost of a new fence, arguing it was fair since we both have dogs. I had to decline because I couldn't afford it at the time. Fast forward a year, and I've been hit with some tough times: my mom passed away, and my boyfriend has a disability. Despite knowing my situation, my neighbor confronted me again, saying I need to take better care of my lawn and we need to talk about the fence. I explained I still can't afford a new one. Now, her fence is falling apart and will likely collapse into my yard during the next storm. I'm feeling really stressed about how to handle this situation when she inevitably comes to my door about it. What should I do?
2 Answers
Honestly, if she’s the one insisting on a new fence, that’s on her. You shouldn't feel pressured to pay for something you can't afford. If her fence is about to fall over, maybe talk to her about the condition of it – it’s her responsibility to maintain her side. You could offer to help her figure out a temporary fix if you're comfortable, or just be upfront and say you can't contribute financially. But remember, it's her fence, not yours.
You’ve got to be honest with her. Tell her that you understand her concern, but you genuinely can’t afford to split the cost right now. If she's aware of your situation, she should understand. Just maintain the conversation about her fence on her property – it’s not your fault that it's deteriorating. Maybe suggest she consider other options if she’s really wanting a new fence.
Also, if you’re not handy yourself, definitely don’t offer to fix it at her expense, unless you really want to get into that. Just keep it simple and straightforward.
Yeah, exactly! If it does end up falling onto your property, you could just remove it since it’s technically her responsibility. You’ve got to stand your ground politely, but firm!