neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

My neighbors have a pool and the fence is backwards.
(the horizontal rails face my house, so i could pool hop into their pool)

I want to tell them that they should replace it, but don't want to cause waves.
the fence is really getting rotten. it's a stockade fence with some of the pickets falling out, and peices along the bottom were popping off... when they had a dog, he found his way into my yard.

i could offer to pay 1/2, but why bother? i am hoping to sell this spring and wouldn't care if they didn't have a pool, you know what i mean?
And worry that potential buyers may have older kids that can pool hop into their yard.

what would you do?

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

I would put my own fence up, but then they might just take theirs down and enjoy the outward facing part of the fence with no cost to them. Plus, if you are moving, it is not something you could enjoy.

I would talk to them and see if they would go 1/2 with you, so that it will also help you sell your house faster than having a falling down fence.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

ETA - oops, i replied incorrectly

if you are concerned that it would pose a problem for any potential buyers you may have, then i'd approach the neighbors and offer to go 1/2 with them and use the reason you stated before.. that you don't want anyone hopping the fence to get into their pool.

Message edited 4/7/2009 1:00:57 PM.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Message edited 4/7/2009 1:09:13 PM.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

When you put up a fence the good side goes to the neighbor.
Otherwise THEY can hop the fence into your yard.

I don't know if I would tell them to replace it though.

Message edited 4/7/2009 1:07:15 PM.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

I would anonymously call the town.... if they don't have a proper fence around their pool, they are going to have to replace it....

My neighbor behind me has a fence that is falling apart. I just put up another fence, using the same posts, facing my side. It's now a double-sided fence, and we both have the "nice" side facing us....

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Posted by GoldenRod

I would anonymously call the town.... if they don't have a proper fence around their pool, they are going to have to replace it....

My neighbor behind me has a fence that is falling apart. I just put up another fence, using the same posts, facing my side. It's now a double-sided fence, and we both have the "nice" side facing us....

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

I don't think I would go over there and tell them to replace their fence... that seems kind of nervy to me. Especially since you plan on selling in a few months.

If you think it's going to affect selling your house I would put stockade fence up on that side to block their unattractive fence.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Posted by rkoenke

Posted by GoldenRod

I would anonymously call the town.... if they don't have a proper fence around their pool, they are going to have to replace it....

My neighbor behind me has a fence that is falling apart. I just put up another fence, using the same posts, facing my side. It's now a double-sided fence, and we both have the "nice" side facing us....

You would? i was thinking of this and thought that might be mean, but you are right. all sides of their property have the fence "wrong". that's how you know the town doesn't know. if they did know, they would never allow the permit for it. that's why i don't think i should have to pay for the fence. . .
i may just do that. i'll talk to DH... he'll probably make the call himself! there's no love lost there when we got into a big argument with them about their dog barking all the time. they have since gotten rid of him. they are the type to "take their dogs for rides." i should have called and reported them for doing that in the past

that peeves me off more than the fence does DARN IT!

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

my neighbor put up a fence and the good side is facing us. we had a pool installed and had no problems what so ever getting a permit with the good side of the fence facing our yard. I dont think that matters.
but we have a fence around the pool for safety, one of those mesh black ones.
if the fence is falling apart, either plant bushes to disguise or go in 1/2. good luck.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

When it comes to town code, I wouldn't take popular LIF opinion. Seriously though, there's no excuse for doing it incorrectly, when it's easy to look up the code on your town's website or call them. If you don't get a permit or do it wrong and they catch you, I don't think they're going to care what LIF told you.

I'm not sure where you are but this is what the Town of Smithtown code says:

" § 252-7. Fences. [Amended 9-21-1965; 4-20-1982; 9-24-1985; 5-8-2007]

All pools, whether covered or not, shall be completely enclosed by a fence, not less than four nor more than six feet above the natural or approved grade level, and all fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with gates of equal height with the fence and with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at their tops. All gates shall be locked whenever the pool is unattended. Fences and gates shall be constructed of a durable material approved by the Building Director, such as chain link or vertical poles of cedar or other hardwood (stockade type) or galvanized steel wire mesh of not less than 15-gauge, with top and bottom rails attached to posts set in the ground not more than eight feet apart. In no case may the material used for fencing have an opening exceeding four inches in a horizontal or vertical direction. All posts and structural members shall face inward toward the pool enclosure."

On one hand, fence situations can be sticky and I just went through some of this myself last year. On the other hand, it's a hazard for children, regardless of what your living status is or if you're leaving.

It sounds like you don't like them regardless but I wouldn't do something like that out of spite. If you are going to do it, take stock of your own situation too because these things can get retaliatory! Believe it or not, my next door neighbor was forced to take down her shed because it was too close to her fence. My shed is too but she didn't use me as an example, which I appreciated. We plan on moving the shed anyway, but it was just nice of her.

Message edited 4/8/2009 7:15:59 AM.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

I will look it up. i am in the village of lindenhurst too, so i know that they have their own rules. i guess i will start with them.
i am not sure what to do. our relationship has patched up, but DH is still waiting for an apology.

DH can make the final decision.

THANKS FOR YOUR OPINIONS!

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

I would just call the town and report them if it really bothers you. They have the pool- the fence is their responsibility and the good side should be facing your yard for pool safety. I believe all towns follow that rule.

Our neighbors just put up new fencing, they have a small inground pool. When we saw them putting it up we offered to pay for half but they did not accept because they said they have to have the fence so it's their responsibility.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Message edited 4/8/2009 11:04:45 AM.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

DH says that we will wait... he may have a conversation with them just to inform them, if they didn't know.

I'll keep ya'll posted!

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?

You are the BEST Jen! Thanks.
I was actually thinking about you when i posted this.

We will do it the "right" way by simply informing. if they do something about it, good.

Re: neighbors with pool.. WWYD?