Dear Urban Diplomat: How do I get my elderly neighbour to fix her rotting fence?

My elderly neighbour has a white picket fence that prevents people from cutting across her corner lot. She hasn’t maintained it, so it’s become an eyesore: the paint is peeling and a few of the slats are rotten. Since she’s rather reclusive, it’s not as if we can casually chat about it. I drafted a friendly but direct letter and placed it in her mailbox last week. So far, nothing. What do I do next?

—On the Fence, L’Amoreaux

Your neighbour may be breaking a city bylaw that requires residential fences to be “structurally sound…in good repair and free from hazards.” But before you call 311 and ask the city to send her a fix-it-or-else decree, consider the circumstances. She’s old and nowhere to be seen, which might mean she’s too frail for housework, seriously sick or worse. She doesn’t need a mouthful about how her battered barricade is offending neighbourhood sensibilities (and property values); she needs a decent neighbour to check in on her. Knock on her door and ask if everything’s okay. While you’re at it, offer to fix the fence yourself.

Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com

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