Who owns the boundary fence
William Taylor
Updated on April 06, 2026
The simple answer: She who uses it. That is, the common law provides that, unless agreed otherwise, boundary line fences are owned by both property owners when both owners are using the fence.
Which side of the fence do you own?
Fence ownership: Who owns which fence? Is it true that every house owns the fence on its left side, as you look at it from the street? There is no general rule about whether you own the fence on the left or the fence on the right of your property.
Which side of the fence is mine left or right?
There is no general rule about whether you own the fence on the left-hand or right-hand side of your property. So forget any ‘rules’ you’ve heard previously that state otherwise – not everyone will own the left-hand side of their fence.
Which boundary fence is mine UK?
There is no general rule about whether you are responsible for the boundary fence on the left or right or rear of the property.What are the rules on boundary fences?
As a rule of thumb, the outer face of the fence should be placed along the boundary. The posts should stand on your land. Of course, there are plenty of types of fencing, and where you should position your fence can change depending on the style you choose.
Who gets the good side of the fence?
The finished side should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it’s the standard. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. Otherwise, your fence will look like it was installed backward.
How do I find out who owns a fence UK?
If you are unsure who owns a boundary fence you can look at any copies of title deeds you have in your possession, or ask the Land Registry for Office Copies and a Title Plan. This plan will show the boundaries to your land as officially registered at the Land Registry.
Who owns a boundary hedge?
If a hedge is acting as the boundary, it is a joint responsibility to keep the hedge maintained from either side. However, hedges aren’t always the property of the two residents– at least not in a legal sense.How do you know if a fence is yours?
Title plans are one of the best ways to see which fence belongs to your property. Title plans may feature a ‘T’ mark showing many of your property’s boundaries, and who is responsible for maintaining them. A T mark on one side of the boundary indicates that the person on that side is responsible for the fence.
Who owns the fence in my back garden?The owner of the fence is usually responsible for maintaining the fence. However, this is not always the case. The owner may wish to have the side without the posts – the best side – facing their garden and erect the fence and the posts entirely within their own garden.
Article first time published onCan my Neighbour complain about my fence?
As long as it’s not higher than 2m, your neighbour is free to put up a fence on their property. If you have an issue with the fence, you should always try to resolve the situation in an informal way. If you can’t come to an agreement, you can hire a mediator or a solicitor to help.
Can I paint my side of my Neighbours fence?
Your neighbour doesn’t have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can’t make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it. If the wall or fence seems dangerous, point this out because your neighbour might not be aware.
Can I build a fence next to my neighbors fence?
You best option is to ask them to join your new fence to it and get a simple contract to protect yourself. Either that or put up all four sides in your property. You may also need to get a permit or permission from city/municipal/HOA depending on your location.
How do I find out who has responsibility for a boundary fence wall or hedge?
To determine who is responsible for the boundaries the first place that you need to look is the Title Register or if the property is not registered you will need to check the Title Deeds. These will often set out which boundaries specifically you are required to maintain.
Who owns the hedge between two properties?
Provided there are no Boundary Disputes, and if both parties agree to the hedge, you will usually both be responsible for the maintenance of the hedge on your own sides. You can cut the hedge right back to your neighbour’s boundary, although there are some exceptions to this.
Can my Neighbour remove a boundary hedge?
Can I remove my boundary hedge? … You are allowed to trim or maintain your side of the hedge to the boundary in this instance as long as that doesn’t kill the hedge, but it is considered to be shared property, so you’ll need to come to an agreement with your neighbour in order to remove it legally.
Who owns fence between Neighbours UK?
Article Summary. In England and Wales, there is no legal presumption that a person owns or must maintain a fence or other boundary barrier on the left or on the right. Ownership of the boundary is normally determined by the builder who erects the buildings.
How close to the property line can I build a fence?
Check Rules and Regulations Typically, fences are installed anywhere from 2 to 8 inches from a property line in most areas. … In cases when a fence is built directly on the property line, the responsibility may be shared between you and your neighbor.