Do neighbors have to split the cost of fences?

[plumboy]

Got a new neighbor and he is wanting to put up a new fence,dont know the details yet but he is going to be asking me if I want to split it(got that from another neighbor).I have no animals and no need for a fence but have heard before that you have to split the cost or something.We share about a half mile of fence so it could be costly /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.Is the cost splitting thing true?

 

[bdog]

There is no law saying you must split the cost of fences. A lot of times neighbors do if the fence is beneficial to both of them, but if you don't need or want a fence don't spend the $$$. Just be honest and tell him that you don't have or ever plan to have animals and have no need for a fence and that even if he builds one, you are not going to fence in the other three sides of your property so you willl get zero benefit from it. This should avoid any hard feelings.

Now on the other hand if for example you and your neighbor had a fence that was in bad shape and you both had cattle and your cows were always getting out and going to his place, and his cows were getting out going to your place, then I would think splitting the cost of repairs or new fence would be the right thing to do as you both are using it.

 

[thcri]

No, you don't have to share the cost. In fact in some places you can't even put the fence on the line without permission from the other owner. It is also my understanding that if you do put up a fence (residential) you are obligated to take care of both sides. Just tell him you have no intention of putting up a fence nor will you have animals and if he wants to put up a fence he can but you have no interest in it.

murph

 

[Unclebuck257]

Around here, it's kind of just like bdog said! If you can afford it and may, at ANY TIME in the future, want to put cows or horses on your place, I'd go ahead and chip in half. However, if you see NO livestock on your place at any point in the future, I'd just be honest and tell your neighbor that when you meet with him. Doesn't being fenced in add to the value of your place too though? That may be something you should consider too.

 

[JerryG]

Guys, there are some states that require both owners to pay for the fence. I was having some boundary problems a couple of years ago and found that out. I can't tell you what states it is now, because it wasn't mine so I didn't pay attention. Do a search on the net for property boundarys.

 

[thingy]

Common sense sometimes is right on,,,,if you want a line fence and your neighbor don't want to help,,,you can't make them,,still a free country,,,,and you should put the fence far enough on your side of the line,,so,you don't trespass when putting it up or maintaining it,,,unless of course you got permission,,,thingy

 

[isucrazy]

A couple of years ago someone posted a link that listed all states livestock and fence laws somewhere in the memory banks. I had to fence out one neighbors horses they never offered a dimes worth of help. The newest neighbor on other side couldn't understand why I wouldn't let him pay me for half the cost of the fence I had all but completed when they moved in . They have never had a critter one to this day. Myself , I would offer labor If I didn;t have the money to help out. Differant strokes for differant folks ya no! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[beenthere]

I think you should get in touch with your state rules, laws, and regs. Most have specific language about adjoining property (some of the biggest fights over the years between neighbors have been over line fences, which isn't surprising).

In my state, you have no choice, and must maintain the right half of the fence while standing on your side looking across the line. If my neighbor wants to run cattle, I have to put up my half of that line fence. If he runs pigs, then I have to put up pig fence.

If I want to hire it done, then I pay for the cost of that half.

There were discussions here sometime ago, and the laws by states were posted, or at least a site that keeps track of those laws. Seems there are more rules than sometimes meets the eye or wishes of the beholder.

Fence between house lots, just keeping out 'kids' might not fall under the rural line fence rules.

 

[plumboy]

Everyone thanks.I hope someone might know where that link is.I am only trying to find out info before I talk to him.I have over a hundred fenceposts I am going to offer.I'm not looking for a way out , I dont need it but can benifit from it if the trees have to go.Hes an amish fellow and will need to run cows and his horses.Right now it is a thick line of locust and something I might bring up to him is my mx track is right along this and his house is about 1000' away so they act as a screen.

 

[HRS]

If he's Amish, then I would guess that he will be doing the work himself. So you are talking about material cost more than anything. I'd split the cost for the materials, or at least offer what I could, and help him put it up. Then you will have at least 1/4 of your place fenced. You never know what you might want to do in the future.