ᐅ Neighbors want a new fence, even though there is already one in place.

Hello everyone,

A quick question. On the right side of the property (about 70m (230 feet)), there is a chain-link fence, approximately 1.25m (4 feet) high. Behind it, the neighbors have a wooden privacy screen, the kind of panels you can buy at a home improvement store.

This weekend, the neighbor asked me what we were planning regarding a new fence. I told her nothing for now, since we’re still busy with the house, then the driveway, the terrace, and so on.

I’m not sure who actually owns the fence. Whether our right-hand neighbor put up the chain-link fence, or if it was there from the previous owner. I’ll check with him, he lives behind us.

But if there is already a fence there, do I really have to put up a new one? Especially since we would just install another chain-link at 1.25m (4 feet) height anyway (minimum requirement in Brandenburg). So why would I replace a fence with an identical one that’s just a different color? The current fence is still in good condition.

According to the neighbor fencing law, I am obliged to enclose the right side of the property. But there is already a fence there. If the fence was installed by the current right neighbor years ago, can he simply remove it and force me to put up a new one? I get the impression that they want a new fence....

Can anyone help? I mean, I might as well burn the money if I tear down a fence and put up an identical one in another color. That would be pointless...