Fence on my property

[mary2001]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

The day we were moving into our house 13 years ago our neighbor installed a fence (metal stakes with chicken wire) in the wooded area behind our house. It has never been maintained and is falling apart. We have decided to install a picket fence and have discovered that the neighbors fence is inside our property line varying from 1 ft. to 4 ft (it is a very long fence in the woods). We have the found the corner metal stakes that the surveyors capped in the ground so we know where the property line is. Do we send them a letter asking them to remove the fence or offer to remove it ourselves since it is interferring with our fence installation or just remove it without notifying them? They are not very friendly so we don't expect them to cooperate.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

The day we were moving into our house 13 years ago our neighbor installed a fence (metal stakes with chicken wire) in the wooded area behind our house. It has never been maintained and is falling apart. We have decided to install a picket fence and have discovered that the neighbors fence is inside our property line varying from 1 ft. to 4 ft (it is a very long fence in the woods). We have the found the corner metal stakes that the surveyors capped in the ground so we know where the property line is. Do we send them a letter asking them to remove the fence or offer to remove it ourselves since it is interferring with our fence installation or just remove it without notifying them? They are not very friendly so we don't expect them to cooperate.

**A: ask them to move it and if they don't you move it.

 

[mary2001]

If they don't move it you said we could move it but does that mean we can just remove the fence and return the materials to them or do we have to reinstall their old fence on the propety line? It is falling apart and won't be easy to reinstall. I want to make sure I understand the law correctly so I don't end up in court.
Thank you.

 

[krispenstpeter]

You can invite the whole state to a fence bar-b-que and use the fence to roast wieners if you want. The fence is on your property. It belongs to you.

 

[HomeGuru]

Also bring marshmallows.