I'm sure we've all dealt with some type of disagreement at one point or another. I'm lucky that it hasn't happened to me yet (knock on wood as my neighbor is selling), but I was recently talking with a good friend of mine just starting out and heres the story.

My friend recently bought a place and is getting married this year (so money is a little tight). He's moved into one of the many architecturally controlled neighborhoods and consequently has time restraints for when things need to be complete (and get back a sizeable deposit for this). With the nice weather out he's finally able to lay sod and put up his fence...problem is one neighbor is way too cheap to split the cost for his side <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />.

What would/did you guys do when faced with this situation? I suggested to my friend that he should continue with building the fence (in order to get his deposit back), but paint his cheap neighbors side a nasty color or put graffiti on that side. Since there are inspectors who come around to make sure you meet requirements, he should pass while his neighbor fails.

Am I right in thinking that since his cheap neighbor didn't contribute towards the cost of materials or labor (which a bunch of us guys are gonna do) he has no right to change the color or otherwise alter the fence in anyway? If he painted over it would it be considered vandalism as it isn't his fence?

Thoughts?