Should she chip in?

If it is not her fence she has no responsibility whatsoever to pay for repairs and what is more if the neighbours refuse to repair it and she suffers a s a result of it, they would be responsible.

W unfortunately own all the fences around our back garden, all of which have needed to be repaired over the years. We have never ever considered asking neighbours to chip in and if we did, they would certainly refuse. We get on very well with them.

I don't think your daughter should have to pay as it's her neighbours' fence. The trouble is they might not now replace the fence when it collapses if she won't contribute.

Neighbours are sometimes confused about who has responsibility for the fence. In our last house the deeds clearly showed the fence between us and our neighbours to the left was our responsibility but they thought it was their and were surprised when we had it replaced. If the neighbours think that fence is your DDs responsibility that might be the reason they are asking her to pay towards it. Also, does you DD have responsibility for another fence in her garden. If so it is unreasonable for them to ask her to contribute if she then may end up paying all the costs of another fence the other side of the garden. Either way it’s a request and I think as suggested she should say sorry single mum can’t afford it.

She shouldn't pay and they are cheeky to ask. She will be responsible for the other side fence presumably.

Lie, and say she's saving up to replace the other fence which is her responsibility.

A few years ago we moved into a new build. The garden sloped down into a corner so we decided to have a retaining wall built to level it out. and we would pay for the fencing on that side. We showed our next door neighbours the bricks we were going to use and the plans for the wall and fence and they said they were happy with them. When the wall had been built ( it was about 2 foot high on their side) they said it was an eye sore and asked us to give them some money so that they could plant conifers to hide it. To keep the peace I gave them £15 and the wife turned to the husband and said “ is this enough?”
We had a lot of objections from them in the 10 years we lived there, mainly whenever we wanted to improve the garden or the house and on one occasion they even had their solicitor accusing us of removing a fence panel which they said was on their land - it wasn’t!
The funny thing was that everyone said what nice people they were, but they weren’t living next door to them!

Some years ago I did the same they were very happy but the male in the house did it himself, not a good job but I moved shortly afterwards so don’t know if it is still standing

At my last house - which was a new build - we were told by the developers that all fences between properties were shared and those separating us from common land - a field - were the householder's responsibility. Having a corner plot meant we were jointly responsible for two shortish lengths and fully responsible for a very long length. Thankfully we moved before any became dilapidated. Since moving I've had to replace a few panels on the side I'm responsible for. On one occasion some panels came down in a storm and as they were not visible from the house and it was winter we only knew because our neighbour informed me that they needed fixing. Although he didn't offer to pay anything, he knew I was on my own and on a limited income so he arranged with someone he knew to do the work at 'mates rates' and oversaw the work as I was at work and he worked from home. I knew the cost was entirely my responsibility so I was grateful for the help he did give. My neighbour the other side hasn't properly maintained the fence but my side is hidden by shrubs and trees so I don't care. At the front we are separated by high hedges and that neighbour trims both sides of the hedge as he knows I would struggle. The other side - I suppose technically my responsibility - the neighbour has a gardener who trims their side and the top leaving my side a bit bedraggled. When it gets really bad I get a friend round to tidy it up for me. Thankfully the neighbours get on pretty well here.

bigred if fence costs have to be shared what happens to the person on the end do they have to pay twice??

She’s under no obligation to help with the cost of new fencing if it’s theirs. It is rather up to her...she might feel she wants to help rather than have a ragged old fence to look at. But certainly not obligated.

Our fences are in need of attention but I am sure we don’t own any although I think both our neighbours think they’re ours. One side is an end house so they must think the fence between us is ours as they have the other side, and I think the previous owner here may have replaced it in the past. And the other side is the left of us so would normally be ours, but deeds specifically say there are no “inverted T marks” on our plan, so it isn’t is it?

We replaced our fence last year as it was badly needing doing, it cost a small fortune and it was our neighbours fence. We checked with them that they were more than happy for us to do it. They are a elderly couple and they offered to pay half. The offer alone was enough, we wanted to replace the fence so we paid for it. I dont think your daughter should pay towards it, she needs to say that unfortunately she cant afford to - I think they will still go ahead and replace it, just trying to see if they can get something towards it.

I agree with NotSpaghetti. It would be polite to decline given the fact she is a single mum but no need to fall out about it. We have just paid half towards our neighbours fence but we can afford it and a better fence benefits us.

In her position I would just say to them, in the nicest possible way, that I would like to help but really can't afford to.
She is under no obligation to help out, but obviously she won't want to fall out with them.

I'm surprised somebody would put a single parent in this position. I wouldn't help pay for it if I were her as she may find she needs a fence on the other side at some time that she has to pay for. I would just send a polite text saying that I'm very sorry but I just do not have the money to help pay for the fence.

They are responsible for their fence, just as she is responsible for hers. No reason whatsoever for her to contribute. So a polite decline is in order here.

If as you say it is the neighbours' fence then it is their responsibility to replace it.

In your daughter's place I would contact the neighbours and explain that being a single mother on a tight budget I just cannot afford to contribute, but make quite sure before doing so, that it is the neighbours' fence and entirely on their ground.

One advantage of making a contribution might be that your DD would have some say in the type and height of the fence.

I agree with those who say a polite response is all that is needed and whoever said no shame in saying she can't afford it.

As already said, it seems there is no legal requirement to have any sort of boundary so it isn't the neighbours' 'responsibility' but it is common practice.

We have just erected a new fence for DD , which technically I suppose wasn't her responsibility but there was no way the neighbours would have done it or contributed in any way. DD knocked to tell them we would be doing it over this last weekend and they just said "okay, great" .

We did it for our DD so she and her little one can enjoy some privacy in their own garden, that's it really.

If it's their fence, they pay ! Different thing is if it is your daughters and they have decided to change it for whatever reason !

Our new fence will be finished today. It is expensive but our left hand neighbours have kindly offered to contribute towards it, hope they do as the fence on our right, ie 3 panels of the other neighbours fence, has fallen down right by the house and we no longer have privacy. We have spoken to them and even offered to help but They don’t seem bothered so we may have to finance another fence. Their fence. Grrr

If in the UK and it's their fence I'd just say something like "I'm sorry but I'm strapped for cash at the moment but your workmen are welcome to come and work on this side if they need to and it's easier."

Just text back and politely decline. She has no responsibility. It’s a bit of a modern myth that one is obliged to provide a fence on the boundary they own. The neighbours however, would be in a spot if bother if the fence that they own collapsed and injured anyone, or damaged the adjoining property.
There doesn’t need to be a falling-out, just a polite response.

We are at present replacing a fence and funding it all. We haven’t asked for any contribution. It’s our fence and it needs replaced because our neighbours 2 boys have been kicking their football at it on their side. It’s annoying but we would rather remain on good terms with them. We have asked for access to the fence from their garden while the work is being done and they are fine about that.