Fence, who's responsibility?

[ditavonteesed]

My new neighbours have replaced the fence that was between our gardens with a lovely new one. The old owner of that house always cared for both sides of the fence. They have painted their side but haven't asked us about our side. Is it my job to paint our side? Also if they own the fence can I paint my side whatever colour I like? They have painted the top of the posts so I will have to paint the posts the same colour.

I am actually going to have a conversation with them but they have been at work all week and I'm working all weekend.

Why would it be their job to paint your side of the fence?

I just wondered? My old neighbour always did it. I don't mind either way.

Sounds like you were lucky with your last neighbour. Yes it will be your job to paint your side of the fence.

Because its their fence?
Talk to them as by rights its their property

From a recent thread about fences, I have learned that, even though they've replaced the fence, it doesn't mean they own it or are responsible for it. You need to look at the deeds.

But that's an interesting question. It seems unfair that they've replaced the fence and now imposed a 'fence painting' job and cost on you.

I would have thought that the owner of the fence was responsible for maintaining both sides of it, but I might be wrong.

You need to find a sensible link that explains the rules, because you'll get all sorts of conflicting advice on this thread.

You can't paint your side of the fence without asking them.

My neighbour has also put a new fence up and she has said that I can paint my side if I like, any colour I want. I don't want to paint her flipping fence, I've got enough to do already!

Here's the other thread.

More than you'd ever think possible about the matter of fences and people's urge to argue about the matter. If your thread doesn't go a similar way, you should probably feel short changed

I found the thread because someone posted a link to a website that clearly explains the law on the matter of fences and responsibility but skimming through, I can't find it. Perhaps it was in one of the posts that have been removed due to personal attacks or troll hunting, because people can get more invested than you'd ever imagine on the matter of garden boundaries.

It's be your responsibility to paint your side. But I'd definitely speak to them and give them the heads up that you intend to paint it.

If going for a different colour to them you need to be careful that your paint doesn't drip through onto their side of the fence and 'damage' it. This would especially apply if on the deeds they are the owners of the fence.

They are the owners of the fence if they paid for it!
Don't paint it without asking first

Have the conversation first as they bought it.
If it's okay, try and keep the same colour. Someone on our street painted their side black and the drips went through the other side, looked a right mess.
Boundaries are incendiary and there is a lot of folklore about them and fences.
Our advice from the solicitor about the boundary we owned on the left and wanted to replace - talk to your neighbours and say you are replacing the boundary, alternatively you can put up a new boundary within your property but as near as you can to the original boundary.