Oct 29
Good fences make good neighbors?
Good fences make good neighbors—or do they? Chances are, if you’ve owned a home, you’ve dealt with neighbors. And one of the oldest, most common neighborly disputes is fencing. In fact, a recent Chicago Sun-Times story tells the story of an ongoing conflict between an Edgebrook woman and her two police officer neighbors.
What do you need to know about what or what not to allow?
Problem: My neighbor wants to put a fence on my property.
What you need to know: There’s no problem with letting your neighbor erect a fence on your land, assuming it’s OK with you and you don’t need to use that bit of land. However, know that if you allow your neighbors to put a fence that sits on your property, they may end up owning that property over time. In certain states, the laws will be in their favor. If you’re concerned about that, it’s best to stop the fence from being built in the first place.
Problem: My neighbor put up a fence that is hideously ugly.
What you need to know: Your neighbors probably have the right to put up the fence of their choosing, regardless of how much it does or doesn’t offend your taste and style. If the only issue is the attractiveness of the fence, you may just need to accept it. However, if the fence poses any threat to you or others, you may have grounds for asking them to remove/change it. Also, if you belong to a subdivision or regulated area that dictates the types of fences allowed and your neighbors have violated those rules, you might also have a case. In cases where some rule or law has been violated, it’s smartest to go to your neighbors directly first, in case they were ignorant of the mandate. If they still don’t comply, you can contact the authorities.
These are just two examples of common fence-related issues, but there are many more. The most important things to know are what the laws/area mandates state, as well as how big of a concern the fencing is. In some cases, demanding or refusing removal of a fence won’t be worth damaged relationships with neighbors or the cost of legal battles.
