Would you pay to fix the neighboring properties fence?

[Jack B.]

Tenant complained that the fence blew down. I look at it and it's the neighbors fence and I explain that to them. I try to track down the landlord of the neighboring house to offer him half of the cost of the fence, work my contractor would do. I can't get a hold of him via phone, email, etc. I have a business address for him but have not visited him, he may be a convicted felon and you never know how these things would go, he might try to accuse me of something. I may just send him certified mail to cover myself.

It's about 1K to repair that section of wooden fence, a fair amount (28%) of my reserves I've set aside from rents for this property in the 18 months I've owned it. I have others and pool all of the money together and hardly ever have to use it so the total fund for all the properties is quite large, tens of thousands. This won't break the bank. So what's the issue?

My issue is that I don't want to have to be responsible for the neighbors fence. Not just this guy but the other neighbor getting word that if their fence blows down, I will foot the bill for that too by setting this precedent. If I end up having to replace just this one guys entire section of fence at one point it would cost 6K+. If I pay the 1K now, I've already set the precedent for next time and other neighbors.

I don't want to foot the entire bill out of my own budget while he pays nothing. Then on the other hand to some extent I want to keep the tenant happy, but they have some unreasonable requests IMO so I won't care too much if they move on. I don't think I'd have an issue renting the place out again since it's just a relatively small section of wooden fence on the side of the house.

What would you do?

[Thomas S.]

@Jack B.

"-It is confirmed the neighbors fence"

Sorry that was my fingers saying something I was not thinking...I meant neighbours fence. As @Ned J. points out fences are usually on property line so was uncertain how you determined it was the neighbours fence without speaking to the owner. Regardless it is irrelevant at this time.

You say you have tried to contact the owner but have not been successful. If you have not reach him then how is it you state you are offering to pay half. My guess is you are willing to pay half not "offering to pay half".

I have read your post numerous times and apparently you read my post but failed to understand. My advice, if you wish to read it  remains the same....

Until you contact the owner you do nothing. Until you contact him you are over thinking the situation. Either he repairs it himself or you share the cost. If he does not want to replace it then you decide if you want to put up a fence of your own.

Nothing could be simpler, you make decisions as you receive information.