Page 1 of Boundary fence.

Hi

I don`t post regularly, but I need some advice. My back garden fence, on the left hand side as I look from my back door, is in need of repair.

The question is who is responsible, me or my neighbour?

Whatever the answer would I be reasonable in asking to go halves on the cost of repairs?

I think it`s fairly usual for the left hand side boundary to be your responsibility (2 houses I`ve been in have been that way). However your deeds (boundary plan) will show the exact details of your plot and you should check these out.

If it`s marked as your responsibility then it`s yours to repair.

A difficult situation can arise however if your neighbour has ruined the fencing with large bushes, trees, etc. like mine has been incidentely. I`ve just repaired it at my own cost (this time) but should it happen again, they`ll be invited to share in replacement costs or the offending bushes will be reduced in size considerably.... ;)

Your neighbour may wish to share in any costs if it`s to their benefit as well. Better/more suitable fencing is good for both gardens at the end of the day!

This may help. If the posts are on your side of the fence it is yours to repair. This is of course no help if the posts are central.

All the best,

Dr 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

> If the posts are on your side of the fence it is yours to repair.

Thats just a courtesy thing - if your neighbours are of the type that think "I`ve paid for this fence, therefore I want the best side" then you`ll find yourself with the "bad" side.

This space for sale





. <--- Except this bit, its mine.

If the fence is in a bad state and its bang in the middle of the boundary then its really down to the two of you to agree, rather than some left hand side rule that usually does not apply.

If the sod is tight fisted, like one of my neighbours, then you have to grin and bear the costs yourself, but tell him if it blows down , its their turn to sort it.

When the fence is in good condition, then the painting and maintainance is down to the two of you and you find one side of the fence is usually painted different from the other, and the paint runs through to the other side :/

So its really down to a compromise thing, so get compromising in discussions with you neighbour.

This item was edited on Monday, 18th April 2005, 18:37

Slightly on a tangent, we have a garage which has one of the sides "in" a neighbours back garden. The wall of the garage must surely be our property but what rights have we to control what he does in his garden? I am thinking along the lines of him backing stuff up above the level of the damp course.
Ta
Nick

"I always told myself size wasn`t important - `til I wanted a new telly"