Asking Neighbors To Go In On A Fence

[Itacoatiara22]

Question for you guys. We recently built a home and have gotten several bids for a vinyl fence (per HOA rules). The total cost will be around $16k.

Here’s the tricky part. We are on a corner lot and have neighbors that will benefit from the fence behind us and to the side. Asking them to go in on the portion that benefits them will save us approximately $4k to $5k. One of the neighbors made comments when we moved in about not wanting us to put in a fence because they loved “sharing everyone’s backyard.”

Would you still ask neighbors to go in on the fence, or bite the bullet and just pay for it?

[Larry B]

I asked my neighbors to pitch in and luckily they were really cool about it and agreed. However, they were under no obligation to help and could have told me to pound sand.

You should ask them and hope for the best. If they care about keeping a good relationship with thier neighbors, they will probably pitch in.

[Stone]

In California, neighbors are required by law to share the cost. This article explains more: https://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/sweatequity/article/Neighbors-should-share-fence-costs-5594169.php

There is a process that must be followed, but I have never had to use it because everytime I approached neighbors about sharing the cost, they have always been happy to contribute their fair share.

[Itacoatiara22]

Wow. I wish Utah had something like this. Really hard for me to wrap my mind around neighbors saying no to something they will receive the full benefit of. 

[Author]

Posts