Common fences (HOA, houses, neighborhood)

[Ablebodied]

Are there firm rules about common fences. Can I put my own fence up and tell the neighbors they can have the other one as long as the new fence encroaches on my side of the property line? I think this was one of the worst ideas they have ever come up with.

[FalconheadWest]

You can do whatever you want on your own property, as long as you get HOA approval if you live within an HOA community... oh, and check with your city/county rules as to fence height and materials that are allowed.

[nsumner]

Indeed, read your Architechtural Control Committee's rules about the stain color if they require a particular color over another too. I've only seen one neighborhood where the builder doubles up the neighboring fences but I can't remember which one.

Naima

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Ablebodied

Are there firm rules about common fences. Can I put my own fence up and tell the neighbors they can have the other one as long as the new fence encroaches on my side of the property line? I think this was one of the worst ideas they have ever come up with.

I had "dual" fences as it were.

Problems:
1. Weeds WILL grow and grow and grow in the nether-region between fences. Bank on it.

2. If you don't build "your" fence very well it will slap against the other fence during windy spells.

3. If there is much room at all varmints will take hold - rats, field mice, and worse.

4. You'll have to spay for bugs all the time.

5. As weeds and crap grow and die and dirt blows in the inside surfaces will rot as they will stay wet longer.

I'll never do it again.

[Ablebodied]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I had "dual" fences as it were.

Problems:
1. Weeds WILL grow and grow and grow in the nether-region between fences. Bank on it.

2. If you don't build "your" fence very well it will slap against the other fence during windy spells.

3. If there is much room at all varmints will take hold - rats, field mice, and worse.

4. You'll have to spay for bugs all the time.

5. As weeds and crap grow and die and dirt blows in the inside surfaces will rot as they will stay wet longer.

I'll never do it again.

What if you had left enough room for the mower to go through and keep the in-between area maintained? Would I still share responsibility for the common fence? Our neighborhood was was set up for HOA but it never materialized. I don't see it coming up now and telling people they have to get rid of storage houses...etc. It's my understanding HOA convenants die forever if not put in force within a certain time.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by Ablebodied

What if you had left enough room for the mower to go through and keep the in-between area maintained? Would I still share responsibility for the common fence? Our neighborhood was was set up for HOA but it never materialized. I don't see it coming up now and telling people they have to get rid of storage houses...etc. It's my understanding HOA convenants die forever if not put in force within a certain time.

I don't know anything about your legal/HOA questions.

I wouldn't want a gap large enough to mow because then for certain animals would move in. Kids might hide in there and smoke pot etc.

Unless your issue with the common fence is overwhelming I'd leave it as is.

[loves2read]

how big is your yard if you are willing to cede 3 ft (mower space) on your boundaries?
what is problem now? Your neighbors won't contribute to maintenance/replacing the common fence?
and if your HOA is no working, you still have city code to contend with--
and if you can and do offset your fence line by creating a smaller boundary for your property voluntarily--then I think you are creating a problem for yourself with legal boundaries maybe when you try to resell in future--

[LQQKOUT]

I don't live in a HOA- and we had a three foot chain link fence that seperated our yard from the neighbor (fence was there before we purchased home) the neighbor has lovely annoying children that would throw their balls and toys over the fence, jump it and get into our yard. They would always torment my dogs. I told the neighbor to stop- but nothing ever was done about it. Then one afternoon while doing yard work the neighbor called my husband over and offered to split the cost of a board on board fence with the exsisting chain link footage....we jumped on the offer. Called around got several quotes took the two lowest over to him and he refused to pay. Problem was the neighbor and his family went on vacation right after the agreement- we got the quotes and had them start the fence two days before the neighbor got back from his vacation. So we were stuck with the entire bill- which drained our account. Since then neither of us speak to the neighbor. He tried to bribe us with veggies from his garden and apologies....but something like that is just wrong. We should have left the chain link as it was on the boarder of both properties. Although my home was there before his was built- so he would have had to fight the weeds and problems on his side.....he could at least said he would pay his half like he agreed even if he offer payments.

[loves2read]

too bad--sympathize
but you might set yourself up for legal problem if you voluntarily move your fence inside your lot's survey boundary lines

[Pete53FR]

Originally Posted by loves2read

too bad--sympathize
but you might set yourself up for legal problem if you voluntarily move your fence inside your lot's survey boundary lines

The problem is a fence is also considered a boundary.