Hello Everyone,
I hope this message finds you well.
Background:
I wanted to share a situation regarding my parents and their neighbour. The neighbor has decided to knock down their house and rebuild a large double-story one. As a result, they are now seeking assistance with sharing the cost of replacing the fence between their properties.
Now, collaborating with a neighbour to replace a shared fence is a fairly common occurrence. However, there's a bit of a dilemma in this case.
The Fence History:
In the previous arrangement, the property next door featured an older structure, and the garage was part of the shared fence line. The fence, while not in the worst condition, was certainly not in its prime and could have lasted a bit longer.
Neighbour's Request:
The neighbour initially mentioned the idea of replacing the fence verbally, and my parents had to decline because they simply couldn't afford it at the time. However, the neighbor decided to proceed with the construction of their new house, which led to the relocation of the garage. This, in turn, caused the fence to lean and necessitated its replacement.
Financial Difficulties:
My parents are currently facing financial difficulties. My dad sustained an injury at work and is receiving only 80% of his 2020 wages through work cover, while my mom is not employed.
The Dilemma:
The predicament we find ourselves in now is that the neighbour has constructed a new house and naturally desires a new fence to complement it. However, it raises the question of fairness: Is it reasonable for my parents to be asked to contribute approximately $2.5k towards the cost of the new fence?
Seeking Advice:
We're wondering if there's an obligation for us to share the cost equally in this specific circumstance.
Fence Details:
For context, the fence in question is a standard wooden fence, but it is higher than usual, around 2 meters.
Thanks!
Edit: Fence is approx. 43m & we are in Vic.
The new fence line also incorporates the new garage being apart of it but it will be further up.
$2.5k for half sounds like a lot, how long is the fence?
I'd get quotes for a standard size 1.8m height fence and see what the total cost is and negotiate from there.