Neighbours dog has damaged boundry fence - what to do?

[Marge]

Hi there,

wondering what people suggest in this situation.

We live in a quite housing estate thats about 3 years old. The back gardens are divided from neighbouring gardens by very thin wooden pannels fitted in concrete frames. I would be the first to admit that the fences are of very poor quality and not weathering well.
Last year we invested alot of cash into our garden places trelleses, shrubs etc. along the boundry.

New neighbours moved in next door who have a dog. We discovered, about a month later, a massive hole one of the wooden pannels (the size of a large dog!) - this was disguised from our view by what we had planted on our side, so I did not see it sooner. I also noticed that a pannel of mdf or something had be put resting against the fence - I presume to stop the dog.
Was not too happy about the damage, but did not want to confront the neighbours as they are not people I really want to risk any kind of conflict with. (Suffice to saw the police were at their house on the first weekend they moved in following an massive row in the early hours).

However, I have now noticed that their dog is started to work his way through a new pannel of fence and has already managed a small hole.

The house is rented to the neighbours and I understand the landlord is not especially helpful.

Any advise on what to do here or how best to approach?

Many thanks.

Marge

 

[foxylady]

What about building a wall in your garden instead of these poor quality fences. I know it sounds drastic but it might be better in the long run.

 

[Diziet]

The house is rented to the neighbours and I understand the landlord is not especially helpful.

Any advise on what to do here or how best to approach?

Whatever your understanding of how helpful the landlond is likely to be, you must give them a chance to put things right. Call or write to the landlord, explain the situation and ask him/her to sort out the fence. If it is his fence, he should replace it; if it is your fence, he should pay for the repair. There is no point in doing anything else first; if you don't get any joy, then come back here and ask what to do next.

 

[Marge]

Thanks for the comments so far.

Diziet, totally hear your point. Yes, I should should try the landlord route. Suppose I am just nervous of causing agro with my neighbours, but will just have to get over that.

Technically, the fence belongs to both of us I guess - it was installed by the builders as the boundry line.

Will see how I get on.

Thanks again.

Marge

 

[Scotsgirl]

The landlord might become more helpful if he realises his fencing is being destroyed!