Neighbour's fence

[slinkycat]

We own the fences on both the left and right side of our garden, but the one at the top of the garden belongs to the people whose garden runs at a right angle to us (we live on a corner)
Their fence is in total disrepair, I'm not really bothered because it is out of sight behind conifers in our garden.
My OH says that they should fix/replace it anyway, but I disagree.
Was just trying to find the legalities of it on google and came across an answer from woofgang (5 years ago) to a similar question, saying they could take it down if they wished.
Could anyone give me a link to the rules regarding your obligations if you own the boundary fence TIA

[Buenchico]

Unless there's a covenant in the deeds to a property, requiring the owner of that property to keep a fence in good repair, nobody is ever required to provide or maintain any fence. The owner of a fence can take it down (leaving the property unfenced) or simply leave it to rot.

Chris

[slinkycat]

Thanks Chris, does seem a silly law though, because that would mean that in some cases the owner of the fence would let it rot, knowing full well that the neighbour would build a new fence thus saving them the cost!

[joko]

to some though 'disrepair' means different things...it could be sound, but just needs a lick of paint

some people instantly assume things are falling apart just because they are a bit tatty

[stoofur]

Have you tried asking them?

[slinkycat]

Joko it is not just a bit tatty, the posts are rotten and the panels are falling over!
Stoofer, would go and ask them, but have knocked on their door before and they are reluctant to answer. Its an Asian family who obviously like to keep themselves to themselves. Their teenage daughter seems friendly enough, but it hardly seems fair to put this on her.