‘My elderly dad’s neighbours are demanding money from him – he’s terrified’

The woman’s dad did not believe that he should have to pay for the damage that was inflicted that evening as he didn’t do it – but the neighbours believed he was responsible

If you and your neighbour have a fence between your properties and someone else comes and damages the fence, who should take responsibility for the repairs? This is what one woman was wondering after her dad’s neighbours were demanding he pay for repairs to a fence that was set alight by random youths.

She took to Mumsnet to say they had asked for money three times, and she wanted to intervene because she didn’t think they were being fair and just, but wanted to check whether others thought he should be paying for the fence before she took the matter further.

Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here

She wrote: “About two months ago, some local kids set fire to my dad’s fence that runs from the front of his house to the left, and joins onto his neighbour’s fence that separates his and their back gardens.

“It was terrifying for him. It spread and caught his wheelie bins alight and nearly set alight his mobility car and shed. The fire service had to attend to get it under control at 1am. It was confirmed arson, the same kids had been doing it all week.

“A few days after this happened he got a note through the door from his neighbour to the left asking him when he was going to replace their fence panel that was burned. He went to speak to them and told them that they’d have to wait a while because he’s a disabled pensioner and he hasn’t got fence panel money spare, they weren’t happy but accepted it.

“They’ve since come to speak to him three more times getting more irate each time because their dog keeps escaping through the damaged fence.

“I don’t think he should be replacing their fence panel AT ALL, it’s their fence and it was damaged by arson, not my dad being careless. If it was my dad’s fault I could understand but he didn’t set it alight. This is all causing him massive anxiety.

“I’m going to go round and speak to them Monday and tell them to p*** off, but am I being unreasonable? Is it his responsibility because the fire started on his property?”

Many Mumsnetters were quick to point out that they did not think it was his responsibility, also noting that if they have a dog, they should be ensuring their own property is secure if they’re letting it off lead whilst in the garden.

One wrote: “If they don’t want their dog to escape they need to secure their garden. Not your dad’s fault at all. You don’t have to have a fence so he could just choose not to replace it. Plus given the circumstances around how it happened, they are being really unfair. Definitely go and talk to them and tell them the law and to stop harassing your dad.”

Another commented that her dad had been a victim of a crime, writing: “Your Dad was a victim of a crime. If their fence was damaged too then they needed to log it for an incident number for their insurance.

“It doesn’t sound like they have insurance, instead, they are hoping your dad will replace. What they are doing is harassment. Tell them to stop but also make a log of everything in case they don’t. Sorry to hear this is happening to your dad. It is not your dad’s responsibility to replace their fence!”

Someone else agreed: “Definitely step in here and tell them to p*** off. They are trying to take advantage. I’d make it clear that you know what has been going on and it stops now. They replace their fence, just as he will replace his own. I’d also visit more too at sporadic times so they know your dad isn’t alone. Sad times but necessary.”

One Mumsnetter commented saying if it continued they’d take it to the police, writing: “They probably know what’s what here and that’s why they’re harassing your dad rather than the housing association, they know they are more likely to wear down an elderly man.

“Go round, take them the housing association’s details and tell them to take it up with them. They’ll get nowhere obviously (because they are firmly in the wrong) but they need to stop pursuing your dad. If they continue with their harassment after that, I would consider reporting it to the police. It must be intimidating to have them continually turn up like that.”

Who do you think is responsible for the fence? Let us know in the comments.