Hello everyone,
We have attached our semi-detached house in Fulda (Hessen) to an existing, already completed semi-detached house. We are currently at the shell construction stage, and the windows are scheduled to be installed in three weeks. Until now, our plot was undeveloped.
Our soon-to-be neighbor recently approached us, saying that he would like to install a fence between the two semi-detached houses and has already spoken with a local landscaping contractor. He intends to fence his entire property and wants to start soon so that the garden can be used in the summer.
He approached me and said it is common for neighbors of semi-detached houses to share the cost of the fence placed in the middle and would like to have a joint discussion with me and his landscaper regarding the type and implementation of the fence. I honestly can hardly imagine that he would want anything different in the middle than what he chooses for the rest of his property.
To be honest, I feel a bit overwhelmed. I am already occupied with the shell construction, and garden planning is still quite far off. Frankly, I don’t currently have the time or financial capacity to also deal with garden planning. It should be noted that his house is slightly elevated compared to ours, so the terrace and garden level come into play.
Apparently, in Hessen, there is an obligation to enclose the property at the neighbor’s request...
"According to the Hessian Neighbor Law, the owner of a developed or commercially used property is obliged, upon request by the owner of the neighboring property, to enclose their property as long as the border to the neighboring property is not occupied by a building. If both properties are developed or commercially used, the owners of both properties are mutually obliged to cooperate in the construction of the enclosure (§ 14 HNRG)."
However, the fact is that we do not want a fence at all, and if anything, we would prefer a hedge or something similar, but not a conventional fence (which is also a permitted enclosure in Hessen). I also wonder if the neighbor can really put us under such pressure just because he wants to start NOW. He should be free to do what he wants on his own property, and I would never have thought of asking him to cover costs for a privacy screen or hedge that I might prefer.
Has anyone in Hessen experienced something similar?
Thanks
We have attached our semi-detached house in Fulda (Hessen) to an existing, already completed semi-detached house. We are currently at the shell construction stage, and the windows are scheduled to be installed in three weeks. Until now, our plot was undeveloped.
Our soon-to-be neighbor recently approached us, saying that he would like to install a fence between the two semi-detached houses and has already spoken with a local landscaping contractor. He intends to fence his entire property and wants to start soon so that the garden can be used in the summer.
He approached me and said it is common for neighbors of semi-detached houses to share the cost of the fence placed in the middle and would like to have a joint discussion with me and his landscaper regarding the type and implementation of the fence. I honestly can hardly imagine that he would want anything different in the middle than what he chooses for the rest of his property.
To be honest, I feel a bit overwhelmed. I am already occupied with the shell construction, and garden planning is still quite far off. Frankly, I don’t currently have the time or financial capacity to also deal with garden planning. It should be noted that his house is slightly elevated compared to ours, so the terrace and garden level come into play.
Apparently, in Hessen, there is an obligation to enclose the property at the neighbor’s request...
"According to the Hessian Neighbor Law, the owner of a developed or commercially used property is obliged, upon request by the owner of the neighboring property, to enclose their property as long as the border to the neighboring property is not occupied by a building. If both properties are developed or commercially used, the owners of both properties are mutually obliged to cooperate in the construction of the enclosure (§ 14 HNRG)."
However, the fact is that we do not want a fence at all, and if anything, we would prefer a hedge or something similar, but not a conventional fence (which is also a permitted enclosure in Hessen). I also wonder if the neighbor can really put us under such pressure just because he wants to start NOW. He should be free to do what he wants on his own property, and I would never have thought of asking him to cover costs for a privacy screen or hedge that I might prefer.
Has anyone in Hessen experienced something similar?
Thanks
W
wiltshire21 Mar 2025 08:20HGZT2025 schrieb:
I have said that several times already, but he doesn’t care. He wants to start now.What reason could he have for that? Is there a pet that might run away? Does he need the feeling of security when the kids are playing outside? If you don’t know, try to find out. If there is a good reason, it will be easier for you to agree. At the moment, I’m not sure how many stubborn people are involved.N
nordanney21 Mar 2025 08:25Bertram100 schrieb:
You could probably still afford to spend 300 euros on a fence. If the neighbor wants a high-quality fence from a landscape gardener, that price can easily be for one linear meter. For a length of 12 meters (39 feet), it could even be around 4,000 euros, while the neighbor would prefer 2,000 euros. In that case, I would also push back—or just give him the 300 euros (what I would spend on a chain-link fence) and then enjoy the neighbor’s fence.
The neighbor probably already has a clear plan in mind for how they want to design their garden this year. If at some points the planting is supposed to be right up against the fence, it makes sense to install the fence first and then start with the rest.
However, I understand that the enclosure might not be a priority for you yet.
If I were you, I would schedule a joint appointment, wait for the quote, and then decide. At the same time, I would look into the approximate cost of a chain-link fence, in case you only want to handle that part.
However, I understand that the enclosure might not be a priority for you yet.
If I were you, I would schedule a joint appointment, wait for the quote, and then decide. At the same time, I would look into the approximate cost of a chain-link fence, in case you only want to handle that part.
B
Bertram10021 Mar 2025 08:30Even a very expensive fence would be annoying, but I would accept it if a conversation didn’t work out. However, the original poster is not showing a constructive attitude here. Any advice that helps maintain a good relationship with the neighbor is the best option. Sometimes it simply costs money—the money that could sustainably improve the original poster’s life. On the other hand, a spoiled neighbor relationship can have a significantly negative impact. Sometimes you just don’t have the best position in life. As long as it is limited to a garden fence, all you can do is congratulate the person.
N
nordanney21 Mar 2025 08:38Bertram100 schrieb:
Any advice that helps maintain a good relationship with the neighbor is the best.Yes. But my advice is that if you have a neighbor who doesn’t even ask when it comes to joint decisions, definitely don’t be a pushover and just say yes.What kind of relationship is that with a neighbor who doesn’t care about your opinion and just does whatever they want? “They do what they want” and “I just say yes to keep the peace”? No, definitely not.
I am someone who also wants to have peace, but this just doesn’t work.
C
chand198621 Mar 2025 08:56I stick to my point: I would politely tell the neighbor that I am of course willing to cover half the costs of a chain-link fence, as the law requires. They are, of course, free to install the 1.2m (4 feet) panel fence and pay the additional cost themselves. Unless an agreement is reached on something both parties equally want, then the costs should be split fairly.
This way, your neighbor has alternatives: either get their fence immediately and possibly pay more than half, or wait and pay exactly half of whatever is decided.
I wouldn’t engage in a discussion about not being ready yet with someone who already lives there. Their priorities are understandably different.
This way, your neighbor has alternatives: either get their fence immediately and possibly pay more than half, or wait and pay exactly half of whatever is decided.
I wouldn’t engage in a discussion about not being ready yet with someone who already lives there. Their priorities are understandably different.