Who is responsible for the upkeep of a shared fence between my property and my neighbours? Is it them or me?

Question

I live in Elmbridge in Surrey, UK

Answer 1

when i was building the posts always indicated whose fence it was. posts in your garden your fence. if you had a front fence the posts would'nt be on the outside. same applies to brick walls. brick piers on your side your problem

Answer 2

It is specified in your deeds, older houses tend to have a fence specified as being your sole responsibility, more modern estates tend to make the upkeep of fences a joint responsibility.

The left hand fence thing is a myth, it certainly does not apply in all cases. The fenceposts being on your side is a good guide but modern panels slot into grooves on concrete posts so the posts follow the line of the fence.

If either party has damaged the fence, rather than it just wearing out or getting old, then the obligation should be on them for repairs.

If you want to change the fence, i.e. to make it taller for screening or privacy then you probably need to fund it.

Answer 3

Actually it depends on who's property the fence is on. If's it on the property line then it should be both of yalls responsibility. But if's it's on your property it's your responsibilty. If's it's on your neighbor's it's theirs. If i was you i'd get someone to come out and see which side the fence is on. That way you'll know for sure. And save alot of trouble. Hope this helps..

Answer 4

Usually whom ever puts the fence up is deemed responsible for its up keep. If the posts are on your side of the boundary then assume you are responsible and vice versa. Alternatively offer to share maintenance of the fence with your neighbour.

Answer 5

I am pretty sure the fence on the left is your responsibility the one on the right is you neighbours

If like me you live on the end Terrace then both our fences are our responsibility because we only have neighbours on the Left not the right!!

Answer 6

Well I'd say the side of the fence that's on your side is your responsibility and the side of the fence on their side is their responsibility.Or simply go round and ask your neighbour to chip in for some fence expenses.

Answer 7

As you can see, wars have been fought over this. I just bite the bullet, inform my neighbor I will be doing whatever to the fence if it requires being in his yard, then I do what I want, and foot the bill myself. Usually, I've had my neighbors come on their own and help with both the work and cost. Not always, though, so I don't expect it. I try to be one of the rare neighbors. Good luck

Answer 8

Look at your site plan or survey. If the fence was built in your yard, it's your fence. If it's in the neighbor's yard, it's their fence. That being said, no matter who owns the fence, you can always talk to your neighbor about sharing the costs to fix the fence. You can't loose anything by asking.

Answer 9

The only way to know for sure is by reading the deeds to your house. It tells you in there who is responsible for which fence surrounding your property.
Sometimes property developers will make everyone responsible for their left hand fence, for example & shared for the bottom.
In my house, My neighbours are responsible for the right hand fence, shared for left & mine for bottom? Pot luck!

Answer 10

HIYA,when you stand on your doorstep and u r looking up your garden,the fence on your left,up to the top normally is yours,it should show on the plans,if you can get a copy, its good to have a understanding neighbour,not allways the way when repairs need doing,so if its on the left it should be yours,right hand side not yours !! hope this helps,kind regards nigel

Answer 11

You are both jointly responsible for the fence, if it is joined at the top or bottom of garden. Your fence is usually on the left as you are looking out at your back garden from the house.