Fencing

[KillerNut]

I am going to be putting up fencing around my back yard. However because of the way my house is set up, my back yard leads right into my neighboors front-side yard. I wanted to put up a 6 ft privacy fence, and although my housing association has a rule only allowing 3 ft fences (which is stupid) others have put up 6 ft fences, and I have gotten a note from the housing association saying that they would likely not pursue any action against me, as long as I was within City of Columbus code.

My concern is that one of my neighboors is going to throw a fit for me puting up this fence, and since it is against the housing association code, it would seem they would have a leg to stand on.

I have two thoughts, build it anyway and hope that they either don't care or, will not saying anything once it is already built.

Or, ask them and give them a chance to shoot down my ideas before I build.

I would rather not give them a choice and then hope that they would not put up a fuss, or if they are okay with it good. I don't want it to seem that I am asking for their opinion, because it is my fence my yard and I feel I should be able to do what I want.

What do you think?

 

[FKAGobucks877]

Do neither. I say go to the Housing Association, and "innocently" get something more substantial in writing from them. That way, your neighbor can bitch all he wants, but you have documentation that it is ok to do what you did. I sympathize with your not wanting to "ask permission" from your neighbor, but if he does raise a stink, you'll probably at least have to tear it down. It's the same as speeding--everyone might be doing it, but if you are the one that gets pulled over, you WILL get a ticket. Therefore, go for the end-around, and try the housing association first.

 

[Oh8ch]

If you want to keep peace with your neighbor I would consider telling him (not asking him) what you are doing and why (sort of a "Just so you know" speech). Certainly you have a good reason and letting him know in advance shows him that you recognize that he might have concerns. Plus, if he decides to fight it you might as well do battle before you invest in the fence. Getting that 'more substantially' note from the association as FKA suggests would also be a good idea. Even if it didn't hold up legally you could go back on them for the cost of the fence - that way you not only piss off your neighbor, but perhaps the entire neighborhood.

 

[gbearbuck]

Didn't we just talk about this ?

My suggestion was to give them a heads up that you will be building a fense... heck, you could ask them if they wanted to split the cost of the fense (only the part that both lots share), and if they say no, maybe they would feel guilty complaining against you (the thought is you should have shared the cost, and now you picked up the whole bill... no clue if it would work, but would be an interesting experiment)...