Ben and Tracey, a happily married couple, bought a piece of land together to build their dream house on it, and start a family. Things were going well, and they were at the stage to construct a new fence for their house and wanted to contact their backyard facing neighbor to ask permission to remove their fence since according to their survey it was on their property. After a couple of months of trying to talk to them, they felt frustrated that their neighbor was ignoring their emails and text messages. Ben and Tracey’s landscaping had started and they needed to move forward with removing their fence in a proper and legal manner. They didn’t want any situation arising from the dispute over the fence.
Peter and Maria, a husband and wife had been in their home for over four decades, and they had a 35’ish-year-old chain fence that according to them was in perfect condition. They said that if Ben and Tracey wanted a new fence, they would need to put it on their side of the property as the other neighbors had done with all the new builds around them. Maria had been growing plants in her backyard which covered the chain fence as well. She didn’t like the wooden fences as they break easily, and destroy planting. They felt they shouldn’t be financially obligated to upgrade a perfectly working fence that has stood the test of time and weather.
They all felt stuck in their situation. That’s why mediation came to their mind.
Ben and Tracey contacted me, and I met with them for an hour to hear their side of the story. My goal during these intakes is always to really understand the needs and desires of the parties. I did the same with Maria and Joelle. After that, the five of us met on Zoom for the mediation. I helped them communicate with each other, and see what was important to the other. We were able to discuss all their issues, and they came up with an agreement that has been holding up ever since. Through mediation they did not only resolve their conflict over the fence, but improved their relationship as neighbors, and have been living next to each other in peace and harmony, both being able to enjoy their property to the fullest.