Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

Neighbor wants us to pay for his fence.

Last year, my neighbor fenced in his back yard. This summer, I fenced in my yard with a smaller, cheaper fence which meets up with his fence. The fence installer told me this is how it's done. My neighbor feels that I should pay him half the cost of the bordering fence, which is on his property. What are the legal ramifications? Can I legally own half of his fence?


Asked on 8/02/00, 4:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Neighbor wants us to pay for his fence.

Your neighbor (to put it bluntly) is an ass-hole. He can not make you pay for part of his fence. What if he wanted to install a fence he paid $100 a foot for? Would he expect you to pay him $50 a fott for the fence across your shared property line???

What next? Will he want to charge his neighbors for improving the look of his home with paint and landscaping???

You may not be able to attach your fence to his fence(you would have to encroach on his property to do so, and attach to his property). I would end your fence without attaching to his fence and tell him to get a life, unless you have a dog and need the yard secure so he can't get out. In which case you need to work out a solution with your neighbor, whereby you attach to his fence (and part of your fence is on his property).

You may want to consider moving...

Kevin J. Begley, Esq.

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Answered on 9/13/00, 2:15 pm


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