I want to repair my fence, my neighbours want to replace it – do I have to?
FALLING out with neighbours in a fence row is all too common - and one disgruntled homeowner is seeking advice for just that.
When it comes to property boundaries and repairing or replacing them, it pays to know where you stand.
They add that the panel battens are rotting in places, but state they have patched them up on their side.
However, the neighbours believe that the whole fence needs replacing, and are asking the Redditor to go halves with them on the costs.
The user added: "They want to replace the whole fence with concrete posts and new wooden panels, so it matches their side fence and looks nice.
"I'm on a budget thanks to Covid, and would rather repair than replace. I don’t care if it looks patchy in places - they just have cash to burn."
Who is responsible for the fence?
Before any action is taken, whether it be repairs or entirely replacing a wall, hedge, or fence, liability for the boundary must be established.
A common fence myth is that each property is responsible for its left hand boundary, which is not the case.
Note that you can buy title deeds to any property, not just your own - so it may be worth grabbing your neighbour's deeds too to see if any additional information is outlined.
Look out for any T's marked on the deeds, as these often denote which side is responsible for the boundary.
Are you obliged to replace a fence?
If you find that the fence falls within your neighbour's remit, it's worth pointing this out to them in a friendly conversation to avoid confrontation.
And though they may ask you to split the cost of the boundary repairs or replacement, you are not obliged to do so.
Similarly, if the fence falls within your property limits, it is yours to do what you please with.
According to property experts, , there is no legal requirement for the owner to maintain the fence unless specified to do so in the property deeds.
One Brit painted their side of the fence and was threatened with police action by their neighbour as a consequence.
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And this isn't the only Brit tangled up in a fence feud - one homeowner came back from their holiday to find their neighbour erected a fence.
Meanwhile, Storm Eunice stirred up fence fights for many other Brits.
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