Man expenses his neighbour for a fence he set up 17 years ago

A guy has actually provided his brand-new neighbour a costs for more than $500– for a fence integrated in 2005.

Shannon Spencer transferred to Yanchep in Perth, Australia, last February after developing a house there.

And last month her neighbour suddenly handed her a billing for AU$506 (₤282) for half of the expense of developing the fence at the back of her home.

Shannon informed ABC Radio Perth: ‘It’ s not a big quantity, however it’s simply the reality that the fence has actually been there for 17 years and he’s held this invoice in his hand, this billing in his hand … awaiting the best time to come and hand it over.’

The neighbour described to her that all the other neighbours had actually spent for their part of the fence which he had all the invoices to show it.

At very first Shannon believed it was a joke– however according to the Dividing Fences Act in Australia, homeowner are needed to share the expenses of a ‘sufficient dividing fence’.

Although she has actually now acknowledged she requires to pay, she is contesting the quantity as the fence is old and not in the very best condition.

She included: ‘I know I’ m lawfully needed to spend for the fence, however I’m simply contesting the reality that it’s been 17 years given that it was constructed, and I moved 17 years later on and he’s still requesting half of the expense of the fence.

‘The fence is rusted, it’ s a various colour to all the remainder of the fences, it’s not even the very same height, it’s just 1500 mm high rather of 1800 mm high.

‘While I know I’ m needed to pay, I’m contesting just how much I ought to pay provided the devaluation over 17 years and the reality that the fence is rusted.’

Shannon stated she discussed her experience on Facebook and some individuals stated they were ‘shocked’, with others calling the circumstance ‘absolutely ridiculous’.

ABC Radio spoke with attorney Johnson Kitto, who validated Shannon required to pay no matter the age of the fence.

He stated: ‘My advice to her is to simply pay it. I wouldn’ t attempt to work out with him.

‘The law is on his side, as much as it pains me to say that, and he is entitled to half the cost of the construction back then.’

‘Imagine what the expense would be if building it [the fence] today. You have actually got to be reasonable about these things.’

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