Who Owns A Garden Fence??

[Smowball]

Is there a hard and fast rule or does it vary from house to house? If I stand in my back garden it’s the fence on the left between us and guy next door. It needs repairing in the middle as the gales a while ago have damaged it. There is no problem as in whoever it is will take responsibility, we just don’t know who it is.
Btw we have the ‘good’ side, and next door has the side with all the fencing support posts.

[AaronSmith1919]

The transferor conveyance deed might state who owns it, but if it's not in writing, then look out for any T-mark to the boundaries. The stalk of the 'T' will sit on the boundary and come out into your garden or property, which means that fence is your responsibility.

[aelmpvw]

perhaps this ongoing question should be put to an independent board or panel?

[Smowball]

Well I’ve found out! It’s our responsibility, not my neighbours.

[Buenchico]

As Aaron indicates, it might be worth checking the title plans for the properties, to see if there are T-marks shown but I've only rarely seen them on any title deeds that I've looked at.
https://www.cheltenhamsolicitors.co.uk/services-for-individuals/property/property-boundaries.php

Title plans are in the public domain. You can download them for £3 each from here:
https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/eservices/FindAProperty/view/QuickEnquiryInit.do

[Smowball]

And sorry for repeating the question lol x

[jennyjoan]

when my neighbour put ours up - we both paid half of it.

[Buenchico]

>>> Well I’ve found out! It’s our responsibility, not my neighbours

Who told you? If it was your neighbour, you shouldn't always trust their information. (One of my neighbour's put a shirty note on my car's windscreen last week because I'd parked in 'her' space. She obviously thinks that she owns it, despite the land registry documents clearly showing otherwise!)

[Khandro]

Ignore everything I said at 10:46

[Smowball]

No, we rent our house and I checked with the landlord.

[AuntPollyGrey]

If you are renting your house, then it's the LANDLORDS responsibly to fix the fence not yours. BTW have you moved?

[ladybirder]

What makes you wonder if she's moved Polly?

[Smowball]

No I’ve not moved, and yes I know it’s the landlords responsibility, what I meant was that it’s not my neighbours. Fence is being booked in to be inspected properly.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Sorry I just assumed you were a homeowner, as if I recall correctly, you had an unexpected inheritance or something and bought a house for cash in an auction to rent out. You had a lot of problems with it or the Tenants. I just presumed if you got money, you would buy a property to live in yourself -my mistake.

[playersdigger]

Under UK law I have always been led to understand you own the fence to the right and the one at the back. Of courses there are always differences,so consult a Solicitor.

[AuntPollyGrey]

There is no UK Law covering boundaries and who owns them.

How can everyone own the boundary at the bottom of their garden? What if your garden backs onto someone else's garden?

I've always found it best to speak to neighbours about fencing you share, and for goodness sake keep solicitors out of it.

[youngmafbog]

//and for goodness sake keep solicitors out of it.//


Couldnt agree more, unfortunately boundary disputes are one of the biggest problems out there and the briefs make a tidy sum from it.

Of course, boundaries and fences are two different things. I have put up quite a few fences on boundaries I know do not belong to the owner. So long as it is on your own land it is fine.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Apparently the houe is rented so it's the Landlords responsibility.

[AuntPollyGrey]

...the landlords responsibility to find out who owns the fence.

[ladybirder]

But not to pay for it?

[AuntPollyGrey]

Its the Landlords responsibility to repair any damage not caused by negligence on the part of the Tenant.