Which fence do I own in my back garden?

Question

I live in a terraced house with neighbours on both sides- If I look out on my back garden, do I own the left fence, or the right fence?

Answer 1

You might own neither, or both. I'm assuming the fences were there when you bought your home, right? If so, then you'll need to check the property line. When people build a fence, it's incumbent upon the fence-builder to build ON his/her own land, taking not an inch from the neighbor even for post location. Also, it's customary to have the "nice" side facing the neighbor - so, if your fence has visible braces or such facing you, then the previous owner probably build the fence and it's yours; conversely, if the clean side is toward you (and you know there's a brace side facing the neighbor), then the neighbor owns the fence.

All this assumes that the fence is actually on the property of the fence builder.

Answer 2

It's normally the left side and possibly the back (ie down the end).
I've been told that you can tell if the "best side" is your side, it's your neighbour's fence because neighbours give the best side to their neighbour (if that makes sense). But I don't believe that cos I personally would give the best side to myself having put so many fences up! I think I've even replaced my neighbours broken fences without them mentioning it (cos it didn't cost them anything)! But I had to replace a broken back fence after the neighbours kinda complained that I hadn't, even though my reasoning with them was that I thought it was theirs! But apparantly not! So I had to fork out and replace that too. You can ccheck your deeds but I'm not even sure mine mention fencing in them without having to dig deeper and pay a solictor etc to do so. The cheapest and easiest way to work it out is just ask your neighbour yourself. If you can't agree, come to a compromise and maybe split the cost! It's probably cheaper than digging deeper via a solicitor!

Answer 3

we live in a terraced & we own the left fence as we look into the garden.

Answer 4

Fences are installed with the fencing on the outside of the posts and rails. The owner/installer will therefore be the one with the fencing on the opposite side of the posts. If the fencing is on your side of the posts........its the neighbors installation..and they are probably the owners of said fence.. unless they placed it wrong and a settlement was made after the installation. (see neighbors built their fence on my property )

Answer 5

The only way to know for sure is to look at the property plan on your title deeds document.

The solicitor would have drawn the boundary for you. If you have bought this property in the past few years then your deeds should have been kept online at the Land Registry. You can make enquiries at http://www.landregistry.gov.uk

I'm amazed at the other answers :-) Guess work is not a legal entitlement.

Answer 6

The home owner with the biggest fist owns the fence.

Answer 7

It is usually the fence to your right when facing out ward

Answer 8

You own the fence that the property owner installed on the property. If someone else's fence encroaches onto your property, you might be able to have them move it, take it down, or work out a settlement; but if the owner of your property didn't pay for it, it isn't yours.

Answer 9

Im pretty sure it the left fence

Answer 10

looking from your back door the side on the left , although they are responsible for the maintenance of the fence regard painting or wood preserving