Erecting A Garden Fence

[Stargazer]

When putting up a wooden fence around ones property is there a rule as to which side the rails face, as I had always thought that the rails should be on the side of the person owning the fence and the boundary so that the best side actually faces the neighbouring property or piece of land. Someone explained it to me this way: that by having the rails on ones own side it prevents anyone from climjng up the fence from the outside and thus prevents potential intruders. Is there any rule of law on this?

[MargoTester]

I have just looked at our fence, which is on three sides of the garden, and the rails are all on our side. This was erected by a professional so I assume it is correct.

[boxtops]

Yes there is - the posts go on your side http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/boundaries.html

[woofgang]

It says "custom dictates" that the pretty should face out but there is no legal reason why it should, just make sure that you know where your boundary is.

[boxtops]

I think that's the point, woof - the outer (flat) side of the fence denotes your boundary - it's difficult to make sure where the line falls, if the posts are on the neighbour's side, the posts might be on their land.

[paul1763]

if you're talking about a post and rail fence it would depend more on what's on the other side. I have post and rail between my drive and my field which i keep some horses on, the rails are on the field side so that if the animals should push against them they are supported by the posts whereas if they were the drive side the horses could push and it would only be the nails holding them on making it easier to push the rails off. hope this makes some sense.

[ToraToraTora]

It's traditional but not a legal requirement.