Fence costs are catch-as-catch-can. If the landlord neighbor didn't want to pay for the fence when it was built, nothing you can do about that. You either pay for the fence and make it yours, or don't put it up. If you want a fence that bad, you pay for it. It's certainly not fair to demand payment later when someone else moves in. It's very common to set back fences 6" in my city. I don't know if it's a requirement. I do know it's common for adverse possession to only apply if someone is squatting without permission. IF the fence regulations already require a setback, I can't imagine an adverse possession case getting any traction based on the fact that the fence was built to code. Even if there's no setback requirement, you may still be protected if you specifically allow someone to use YOUR land, as in giving a neighbor permission to use the 6" strip. Or, if you specifically prohibit it. "Squatter's rights" to land usually apply when the neighbor used it and the owner knew about it and did nothing. Our neighbors accidentally put a block wall raised bed a few inches past the line. They moved. The new neighbors brought it to my attention and I said they didn't have to remove the entire wall on my account (it's only 4 feet long anyway). I gave them permission to encroach on my property with their wall. It's still my property and will remain so. Of course, it should really be in writing because if it ever goes to court, there's no documentation, but in my case it's a de minimus condition, and we get along fine with the neighbors.

There is a company in PA called Prizm fence you might want to try. I am not sure how vinyl fence will hold up over the years with the cold New York weather. The plastic might start to get brittle. If you need to replace your aluminum fence feel free to contact FenceTown for a free quote. Good luck on your search !

It's expensive to "level" ground as it requires a retaining wall. A slope is the less expensive way of dealing with grade change. That said, you're probably stuck with the grade you have. But you indicate there's planting space that you control on the other side of the fence ...? You need planting on one or both sides that grows above the fence height. Large shrubs (8' to 16') strategically placed would screen out all of the unwanted view above the fence. The planting could be a mixture of shrub variety for a very casual look, or or it could be a single species (as long as the light conditions are consistent) for a tidier, more tailored look.

After some discussion, we're agreed that they will build new fencing themselves in the same style we're using (the husband does construction), I just re-read your post. Have you considered hiring this neighbor for the project instead of the other contractor? Forget the above. Since the project is 2/3 completed....what happened is that you are reneging on the original terms of the deal. IF you ever have any thought of using this guy again, you need to honor the original deal. If that means eating the entire cost of the fence on that side of the property, you eat it. (Just tell yourself that if you were on a corner lot, you'd be paying for all of that side anyway because there would be no neighbor to split costs with.) The revised quote for less fence has a 'you broke the contract' penalty included. And no, you won't find this as a line item on the bill. Or a 'putting the horse before the cart penalty'...because you proceeded w/ the project before you had everyone on board. However you want to look at it. As far as the non compliant neighbors---since one of them is 'in construction', he/she may be a little miffed that you didn't ask him for a quote on the project. Or not. May be that since he is in the biz, he thinks the quote was inflated. Or, just reluctant to pay for labor to do something he considers everyday DIY. Also given that they have been in the house for only a couple of years, that the house has needed extensive work, they are likely to consider the fence a Low Priority item. And, being in construction right now, he is likely to be flat out Too Busy to worry about a fence.