Repairing boundary line fence with neighbor in row house

[Anonymous]

I own a rowhouse in DC and the neighbor has asked me to share the cost to replace the fence between our properties. One or two of the posts have a slight lean but given that the posts are embedded deep into the ground, I don't see that there would be a need to replace the fence posts at this stage. It seems cosmetic to me and the fence otherwise looks sound. I want to be a good neighbor, but can I make the case that there must be a structural need in order to share this cost? It's not in my budget to be throwing around money unnecessarily.

For what it's worth, this neighbor has also hassled me about exterior cords that dangled onto her property after a heavy wind (which have since been secured) and rat issues, asking me to share the cost of pest control. I refused on the pest control, given that we are in the city and our houses back to an alley, as many do.

[Anonymous]

I would just say the fence isn’t at the end of its useful life but that you would be happy to revisit if the fence seems structurally unsound at a later date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just say the fence isn’t at the end of its useful life but that you would be happy to revisit if the fence seems structurally unsound at a later date.

+1 -- Cap Hill RH owner here.

I would add "But of course if you want to pay for the repairs/replacement, I'm fine with that as long as it doesn't cause any damage to anything on my side of the fence."

[Anonymous]

I think you should find out the price of a new fence vs. the price of repairing the posts. Do what make sense financially. Don't be penny wise, pound foolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should find out the price of a new fence vs. the price of repairing the posts. Do what make sense financially. Don't be penny wise, pound foolish.

And you have to live with this neighbor.

[Anonymous]

If it is structurally fine, say no. We have neighbors who demand all kinds of things and we say no.

However, they are right and you don't leave outdoor extension cords out freely.

[Anonymous]

OP, you're never required to pay for a portion of the fence. If the neighbor insists then she's allowed to do it, provided she either has your permission if it's on both properties or without your permission if it's on her property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just say the fence isn’t at the end of its useful life but that you would be happy to revisit if the fence seems structurally unsound at a later date.

+1 -- Cap Hill RH owner here.

I would add "But of course if you want to pay for the repairs/replacement, I'm fine with that as long as it doesn't cause any damage to anything on my side of the fence."

+1 I understand the points of the posters about having to live with the neighbor as your neighbor; however, it doesn't seem like a new fence is necessary for anything other than an aesthetic preference. I would use the verbiage from both of the prior posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it is structurally fine, say no. We have neighbors who demand all kinds of things and we say no.

However, they are right and you don't leave outdoor extension cords out freely.

Not an extension cord. Some houses have certain wiring on the exterior.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the input. It seems DC doesn't have specific laws governing this (looks like VA does).