Comments on: Dear PoP – Do bad fences make bad neighbors? http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/ Welcome to the beautiful life Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:42:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: caphillchick http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49876 caphillchick Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:07:49 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49876 If you want a fence (an not for neighbor to fix his) then you can build what ever you want (if LL oks) within the property line (no specifics on how far in so 1/4 inch could work) you can (again with LL permission) get a plat showing lines form DCRA. If you want to work on shared/line fence you need written permission or proof you tried to get permission (certified mail?) This is also were you get a permit to build (6ft requires). If you want a fence (an not for neighbor to fix his) then you can build what ever you want (if LL oks) within the property line (no specifics on how far in so 1/4 inch could work) you can (again with LL permission) get a plat showing lines form DCRA. If you want to work on shared/line fence you need written permission or proof you tried to get permission (certified mail?) This is also were you get a permit to build (6ft requires).

]]> By: anon http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49875 anon Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:49:03 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49875 One potential problem with just nailing the fence door shut with a couple 2x4s in a semi permanent fashion would be fire escape. I can't tell from the pic, but if your neighbor with the functionally challenged fence depends on that as an exit via your backyard to the alley, and has rights of passage then you might have problems. or, given the current state of disrepair and lack of attention, probably not... One potential problem with just nailing the fence door shut with a couple 2x4s in a semi permanent fashion would be fire escape. I can’t tell from the pic, but if your neighbor with the functionally challenged fence depends on that as an exit via your backyard to the alley, and has rights of passage then you might have problems.

or, given the current state of disrepair and lack of attention, probably not…

]]> By: ogden http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49874 ogden Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:38:20 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49874 Well, actually, DC Municipal Regs Title 14 Chapter 7: 701.1 All structures located on a premises including, but not limited to, accessory structures (such as walls, garages, fences, and sheds) shall be maintained in a sanitary and structurally sound condition and in good repair. According to Title 16, Civil Infractions and Fines, this would likely be a Class 5 infraction (meaning minor), which results in a fine of $20 for the first offense, and doubles for each offense thereafter. But it could take a lot of effort to enforce this regulation for something so minor. Usually they are only enforced when a property owner has committed greater infractions. All that said: --there is no such thing as a shared property fence. Even if two neighbors share the expense and labor, one of them still owns it. --in all the places I've lived, I've never seen so much involvement over neighbor's fences. I've never lived anywhere (yes, places with rowhomes and narrow properties) where anyone actually thought they had a right to interfere or make demands upon a neighbor regarding their fence. --even if the landlord owns this fence, their obligation for its maintenance is to the city, not the tenant. --even if the lease allows pets, it is still the tenant's responsibility to care for it, and that includes controlling it. --Pets cost money. Their expenses are not reimbursable. If you can't handle that, you shouldn't have a pet. Well, actually, DC Municipal Regs Title 14 Chapter 7:

701.1 All structures located on a premises including, but not limited to, accessory structures (such as walls, garages, fences, and sheds) shall be maintained in a sanitary and structurally sound condition and in good repair.

According to Title 16, Civil Infractions and Fines, this would likely be a Class 5 infraction (meaning minor), which results in a fine of $20 for the first offense, and doubles for each offense thereafter. But it could take a lot of effort to enforce this regulation for something so minor. Usually they are only enforced when a property owner has committed greater infractions.

All that said:

–there is no such thing as a shared property fence. Even if two neighbors share the expense and labor, one of them still owns it.

–in all the places I’ve lived, I’ve never seen so much involvement over neighbor’s fences. I’ve never lived anywhere (yes, places with rowhomes and narrow properties) where anyone actually thought they had a right to interfere or make demands upon a neighbor regarding their fence.

–even if the landlord owns this fence, their obligation for its maintenance is to the city, not the tenant.

–even if the lease allows pets, it is still the tenant’s responsibility to care for it, and that includes controlling it.

–Pets cost money. Their expenses are not reimbursable. If you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t have a pet.

]]> By: Nichole http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49873 Nichole Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:14:56 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49873 I don't know where on the Hill you are, Giant Squid or how many folks you know over here, but you could try talking to your ANC and/or the Restoration Society, assuming you're in the historic district. You could also complain about it on any number of Hill listservs and hope that they or someone they know reads it. Of course, that's really passive aggressive, but so is not just going over there and talking to them about it in the first place. I don’t know where on the Hill you are, Giant Squid or how many folks you know over here, but you could try talking to your ANC and/or the Restoration Society, assuming you’re in the historic district.

You could also complain about it on any number of Hill listservs and hope that they or someone they know reads it. Of course, that’s really passive aggressive, but so is not just going over there and talking to them about it in the first place.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49872 Jamie Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:03:35 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49872 ... oh and i feel your pain on putting any time into that messed up old fence, but hey, its a rental. Just go find some scrap 2x4s in a dumpster somewhere if you don't want to buy anything, there is almost certainly stuff to be looted within a 500 foot radius of anyplace in DC. I am sure you could patch that thing up enough to last a year or two without too much effort. … oh and i feel your pain on putting any time into that messed up old fence, but hey, its a rental. Just go find some scrap 2x4s in a dumpster somewhere if you don’t want to buy anything, there is almost certainly stuff to be looted within a 500 foot radius of anyplace in DC. I am sure you could patch that thing up enough to last a year or two without too much effort.

]]> By: Pennywise http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49871 Pennywise Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:59:05 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49871 Actually, maybe you could engineer a collapse of the gate, pin yourself under it, and sue sue sue your way to wealth!!! Gimme the address, I'll be there post haste. Of course, I'd sue you too for endangering me ;) Actually, maybe you could engineer a collapse of the gate, pin yourself under it, and sue sue sue your way to wealth!!! Gimme the address, I’ll be there post haste. Of course, I’d sue you too for endangering me ;)

]]> By: Jamie http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49870 Jamie Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:56:48 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49870 You don't really have any recourse that I am aware of. If the fence is your neighbor's, as the landlord says, then the property owner could build their own fence but that's it. You can't make your neighbor fix something on their property. If the fence is your landlord's, then it's his responsibility, but unless the terms of your lease specify that you shall have a fenced in yard that's dog proof, it is what it is. He can just say tough luck, I'm not fixing it if you even get him to admit it's his, or I'm not building another fence if its not. There's no rule that says anyone's yard has to be fenced in at all. If you want the fence to work just fix it yourself. Sorry that you probably won't get reimbursed for the $20 or so a couple hinges and screws would cost to make it serviceable but it doesn't seem like a lot to pay to get what you want in this situation. You don’t really have any recourse that I am aware of.

If the fence is your neighbor’s, as the landlord says, then the property owner could build their own fence but that’s it. You can’t make your neighbor fix something on their property.

If the fence is your landlord’s, then it’s his responsibility, but unless the terms of your lease specify that you shall have a fenced in yard that’s dog proof, it is what it is. He can just say tough luck, I’m not fixing it if you even get him to admit it’s his, or I’m not building another fence if its not.

There’s no rule that says anyone’s yard has to be fenced in at all.

If you want the fence to work just fix it yourself. Sorry that you probably won’t get reimbursed for the $20 or so a couple hinges and screws would cost to make it serviceable but it doesn’t seem like a lot to pay to get what you want in this situation.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49869 Anonymous Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:43:22 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49869 if the fence is all on the neighbors property just build a new one on your side. You know whats easier than building a fence? Nothing. Building fences is the easeist thing there is. Also it looks like the gate is leaning over onto your property. I happen to be a dick so I would probably have just undone the yellow rope that is holding the gate up and pushed it over onto their side. Maybe they would get the point after that. if the fence is all on the neighbors property just build a new one on your side. You know whats easier than building a fence? Nothing. Building fences is the easeist thing there is. Also it looks like the gate is leaning over onto your property. I happen to be a dick so I would probably have just undone the yellow rope that is holding the gate up and pushed it over onto their side. Maybe they would get the point after that.

]]> By: GiantSquid http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49868 GiantSquid Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:50:33 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49868 @MPHS: as my landlord is a friend, and far from being "no-good" or delinquent, I have no desire to paint them as such. @MPHS: as my landlord is a friend, and far from being “no-good” or delinquent, I have no desire to paint them as such.

]]> By: MPHS http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49867 MPHS Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:15:13 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2009/10/dear-pop-do-bad-fences-make-bad-neighbors/#comment-49867 I join the just fix it chorus. Those 8 foot panels are cheap, and you can use screws if need be so someone can undo it. It's a cheap fix, with a big payoff. If your neighbor complains, or comes out to inspect, you might actually enjoy meeting him. You can always blame the issue on your no-good landlord. I join the just fix it chorus. Those 8 foot panels are cheap, and you can use screws if need be so someone can undo it. It’s a cheap fix, with a big payoff.

If your neighbor complains, or comes out to inspect, you might actually enjoy meeting him. You can always blame the issue on your no-good landlord.

]]>