Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California
Are we obligated to pay one half the cost of a new fence our new neighbor (he has not even moved in yet) replaced after his first abrupt introduction demanding money for a new fence. We informed him that the fence did not need be replaced; that we have maintained the fence for the last 10 years; and we that could not afford a new fence at this time. He told us that he already had people scheduled to come on. We told him to fix his side; and that we could not and would not pay for a new fence. Today his 2nd introuction was to hand us a bill for $500 and demand payment. He said we could pay him in installments.
2 Answers from Attorneys
You want to consult with an attorney and consider taking this matter to mediation. The new neighbor has overstepped his boundaries and you need to set some ground rules so that the rest of the relationship is not as well, disruptive.
It would help to know whose property the fence sits on, in other words, whose fence it is, and what agreements are in existence regarding the fence.