AITA neighbor “shared” fence drama

r/

We recently spent over 20,000.00 to put up a new fence around our yard. We had just a chain link fence and we put up a 6′ high custom maple wood fence. We told all our neighbors that we would be doing this. No one had a problem with this.
The neighbor behind us had previously taken there fence down leaving only our chain link fence between our properties. This wouldn’t be a problem but they have a swimming pool and the laws for security and safety deem it for them to have a 6′ fence. (This was at the beginning of the summer and we were not planning on putting our fence up till the late fall or the following spring)
We ended up not doing the fence until the following spring… and the neighbor NEVER put there fence back up…
Fast forward to a few weeks ago we get a letter from the neighbor requesting us to sign and get notorized a “shared fence” agreement for the town that is required when parties share a fence and one has a pool…
AITA for throwing the paper in the trash? Or should I have contacted this neighbor?

Comments

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    We recently spent over 20,000.00 to put up a new fence around our yard. We had just a chain link fence and we put up a 6′ high custom maple wood fence. We told all our neighbors that we would be doing this. No one had a problem with this.
    The neighbor behind us had previously taken there fence down leaving only our chain link fence between our properties. This wouldn’t be a problem but they have a swimming pool and the laws for security and safety deem it for them to have a 6′ fence. (This was at the beginning of the summer and we were not planning on putting our fence up till the late fall or the following spring)
    We ended up not doing the fence until the following spring… and the neighbor NEVER put there fence back up…
    Fast forward to a few weeks ago we get a letter from the neighbor requesting us to sign and get notorized a “shared fence” agreement for the town that is required when parties share a fence and one has a pool…
    AITA for throwing the paper in the trash? Or should I have contacted this neighbor?

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  3. wesmorgan1 Avatar

    INFO: What is the purpose of the “shared fence” agreement, and what obligations (if any) would it put on you?

  4. Fab6-1 Avatar

    I could be the asshole because its the neighborly thing todo…

  5. ConflictGullible392 Avatar

    Info: what are the details of the agreement and what part of it do you object to?

  6. Betalisa Avatar

    Oh, they want to share the fence you paid for? Calculate the percentage of $20,000 cost that they share and ask for half of that (plus notary fees).

  7. United-Signature-414 Avatar

    YTA Not saying you should have signed it, but throwing the paper away without bothering to have a simple conversation with the neighbor is weirdly antisocial. Grow up and have an adult conversation. 

  8. quincebush Avatar

    NTA Did the neighbor offer to pay for half of the fence? As a former zoning official, we would never make someone sign any such agreement. It sounds like code enforcement caught up with your neighbors and they’re trying not to fork out the $$$ to install a fence and are trying to circumvent their responsibility by making a claim to your fence.

  9. Treehousehunter Avatar

    Call the town and ask for details about a shared fence agreement. Explain the situation and that you’re not keen, at first glance, to enter into an agreement after you’ve already built and paid to fence your yard, but you are curious what, if any, benefit there is to you signing such an agreement.

  10. sbinjax Avatar

    NTA. They have the pool, it’s on them to comply with the law.