Fence down in storm, who to fix it?

[vbus]

I notced today that part of our adjoining fence with neighbour behind us has blown down. Who's responsibility is it to fix? Should costs be shared?

Any help appreciated

[dexter73]

You need to look at your house deeds/land registry documents and it should tell you who the fence belongs to. I own my back and left fence but mum owns her back and right fence.

[ampere]

Yes, you will have to have to check your deeds. They will be quite specific! You could always ask the neighbour- they may know outright and save you hassle.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

And after check your insurance policy or hope your neighbours are insured!

[dexter73]

Any luck finding out who owns the fence?

[WildPansy]

Watching because I want to know this too, and none of the docs I have from the purchase seem to give the answer.

[purepurple]

If you can't find the answer then you will have to talk to your neighbours and share the cost.

[snice]

usually the posts are on the side that owns the fence so if you can only see panels it's your neighbours-if you can see posts its usually your fence

[vbus]

Thanks all for advice. I spoke to neighbour yesterday and she was of impression it was shared fence as they'd had discussions about it with previous owners. DH & I thought at this point in time it wasn't worth the time/cost to call solitors to clarify, so we've decied to split costs with neighbours as it won't cost much to replace only the part that fell down.

A colleague made an interesting point that you should check which way round the fence has been set up as that usually indicates who owns the fence. Based on that it looks like it's their fence as the slats and posts are facing them (if that makes sense).

Anyway neighbour coming round later today to come up with plan. Will update if anything contraversial comes out of discussion

[risingstar]

vbus- what your colleague said is often true but not always

there is no obligation to erect a fence but if you choose to, the fair face should be pointing outwards to neighbours.

it may be that the fence was the previous occupants responsibility but they did not erect one or maintain it and your neighbours or their predessors decided to put one up,.

[AntonDuBurk]

Actually, having looked into this previously, the posts/good side issue is a useful guide but not a legal fact. It is good practice/considerate to offer the neighbours the good side but there is no legal obligation to do this.

[forevervacuuming]

Usually your fence is to the left as you look out towards the back, unless it says otherwise on the deeds.