Recently, high winds blew down the fence between me and my next door neighbor. My neighbor had just recently moved in and is not the property owner. I replaced the fence paying all cost. However, my neighbor will not divulge the landlord's address for whatever reason. I did a property ownership search and found out who the owner is and this person's address. My question is if I send this person a bill for half of the fence cost including a copy of the original invoice for construction cost, is my neighbor's property owner in anyway obligated to pay? In terms of cost, we're talking about $500. Also, am I wasting my time in pursuing the matter? Thanks, Rhett98Lab

I wouldn't just send him a bill... if you explain the situation and just ask if he's willing to chip in on the fence, you'll probably get a better response.

A lot depends on who owned the fence. If it is on your side of the property line, no, they don't have to pay you. If it's on the property line, they are technically responsible for half. But people are people, and they may decide not to pay. In which case, you can pursue it in small claims, but you have to weigh the aggravation against the money. But I'd due what retsoksirhc said, and see what happens. Be polite... it makes people more responsive.

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Originally Posted by froggy7

A lot depends on who owned the fence. If it is on your side of the property line, no, they don't have to pay you. If it's on the property line, they are technically responsible for half. But people are people, and they may decide not to pay. In which case, you can pursue it in small claims, but you have to weigh the aggravation against the money. But I'd due what retsoksirhc said, and see what happens. Be polite... it makes people more responsive.

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Right, all good points and I would add that the property owner is not responsible to pay to reconstruct your fence - if it is your fence.

There is also a possibility that his homeowners insurance would have paid for it - if it's his fence. And if you replaced his fence... well, maybe he didn't want it replaced and is not willing to pay for it.

You never know until you approach him.

Whose fence was it? Who paid originally to have it erected? Did you take pictures after the storm of the damage? You should have looked into the fence ownership before you paid to have it repaired as it might have been the other guy's fence and you just repaired it for him for free if he does not want to pay for it. Too late now as the horse ran off.