It's impossible to know who is responsible for a fence?

BrightPinkCrab · 2025-01-26T20:54:06+00:00

So due to the storms and my neighbour not answering their door (won't give me their number) I have now had to spend lots of money to get a fence fixed. It was at the end of our front gardens and the storm has taken it down, as well as my wall. I bought 10 years ago and don't have solicitor details/emails. I've bought the land registry details but it only has the red markings, nothing with Ts to state ownership etc. I guess no one can be sure and I have to battle it out with neighbour?

ShamblesRock · 26/01/2025 20:57

Do you have the deeds? If it is shared it will generally say there.

Ilovemyshed · 26/01/2025 20:58

Have you bought the title document as well as the plans and also for your neighbouring properties?

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:00

Hi OP the markings are also missing from my deeds

all I can suggest is buying the deeds of all the properties around your boundary to see if there’s have Ts marked, and if so, assume whichever boundary is then missing is yours

seems quite common to forget to mark them on the deeds!

Whotenanny · 26/01/2025 21:00

My deeds or title documents don't have them on either, and neither does my neighbours'.

Good luck with your battle!

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:01

btw even if the fence is your neighbours responsibility they don’t really need to do anything to be honest so it’s a bit meaningless. Usually it’s just the one who wants the fence that has to pay up

NoodleNuts · 26/01/2025 21:06

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:01

btw even if the fence is your neighbours responsibility they don’t really need to do anything to be honest so it’s a bit meaningless. Usually it’s just the one who wants the fence that has to pay up

This.

As you have already paid for a new fence, I guess it now belongs to you. You can ask your neighbour if they want to contibute but they are not obliged to so I can't see that there is any battle to be had.

dragonbear · 26/01/2025 21:06

I have the same issue at the moment . There are also no T markings on the deeds or anything to indicate responsibility. However you will have a document called at TP1 with the deeds that amongst other things states the responsibility for repair / replacement of fences. I was able to use this to prove to my neighbour that we have joint responsibility for upkeep and maintenance .
DM me if you want any further information

Thistooshallpsss · 26/01/2025 21:07

Unless specified in the legal documents there is no obligation to erect anything on the boundary. Therefore if you want a fence you need to erect and pay for it if you can’t get your neighbour to agree.

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:08

Sorry title plan.

OP posts:

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:08

Thistooshallpsss · 26/01/2025 21:07

Unless specified in the legal documents there is no obligation to erect anything on the boundary. Therefore if you want a fence you need to erect and pay for it if you can’t get your neighbour to agree.

It's a joint wall we share....

OP posts:

HPandthelastwish · 26/01/2025 21:10

Neighbour doesn't have to pay for a fence though they just have to clearly outline the boundary, could be done with planters, big stones etc. Whoever wants the fence really is the one that pays for it.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 26/01/2025 21:10

If your deeds don't have the T then it's probably neighbours boundary and will have T on theirs. Your deeds won't show anyone else's boundaries

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:11

I bought the title plan.... And she seems to have a couple of more metres of land than what that plan shows (back of her house).

She's lived there 20 years.

Anywhere where do I buy the deeds - is it instant?

OP posts:

HenDoNot · 26/01/2025 21:11

neighbour not answering their door (won't give me their number)

Even if you prove the fence is theirs, it doesn’t sound like they’re going to fix, maintain or pay anything towards it.

Sure, you can try and make them pay, send a solicitors letter, court, etc, good luck with that, it’ll cost you more than the cost of a new fence.

Annoying yes, but there it is.

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:11

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 26/01/2025 21:10

If your deeds don't have the T then it's probably neighbours boundary and will have T on theirs. Your deeds won't show anyone else's boundaries

I don't know where I can buy my deeds?

OP posts:

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:12

HenDoNot · 26/01/2025 21:11

neighbour not answering their door (won't give me their number)

Even if you prove the fence is theirs, it doesn’t sound like they’re going to fix, maintain or pay anything towards it.

Sure, you can try and make them pay, send a solicitors letter, court, etc, good luck with that, it’ll cost you more than the cost of a new fence.

Annoying yes, but there it is.

No they basically are saying that I'm causing further damage and shit, plus there are rubbish to remove as I need my driveway etc. it's just a pain dealing with mute neighbours. I think they have issues with socializing and avoid me

OP posts:

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:14

HPandthelastwish · 26/01/2025 21:10

Neighbour doesn't have to pay for a fence though they just have to clearly outline the boundary, could be done with planters, big stones etc. Whoever wants the fence really is the one that pays for it.

We need it fixed as it's actually on the pavement etc and we live with a high footfall etc. I've done he best I can and I also need access to my driveway. Hard without pictures

OP posts:

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:15

How are they saying youre causing further damage if they won’t speak to you?!! And what does the rubbish on your drive have to do with them? Sorry if misunderstood

Original poster

BrightPinkCrab · 26/01/2025 21:15

dragonbear · 26/01/2025 21:06

I have the same issue at the moment . There are also no T markings on the deeds or anything to indicate responsibility. However you will have a document called at TP1 with the deeds that amongst other things states the responsibility for repair / replacement of fences. I was able to use this to prove to my neighbour that we have joint responsibility for upkeep and maintenance .
DM me if you want any further information

Seller stated they didn't know anything about fences etc

OP posts:

BarkPench · 26/01/2025 21:18

Can you ask other neighbours on the street about it, if you’re on a terrace? Normally it’s ’each house owns the fence to the right’ or whatever

Nonaynevernomore · 26/01/2025 21:20

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:01

btw even if the fence is your neighbours responsibility they don’t really need to do anything to be honest so it’s a bit meaningless. Usually it’s just the one who wants the fence that has to pay up

This is true, unfortunately.

Whaleandsnail6 · 26/01/2025 21:29

You dont need a fence do you?

I think it just needs to be safe (so not at risk of falling) but other than that, as long as the boundary is marked with something, neither of you have to pay for a fence if you dont particularly want one.

If our fence fell down at the moment, I would make it safe and clear the broken bits but I wouldnt be rushing to pay for a fence, I'm not bothered about having one.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 26/01/2025 21:32

You can buy the deeds from the land registry. The plan and the written document are seperate, and they're approx £3 each.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry

HM Land Registry

We register the ownership of land and property in England and Wales. HM Land Registry is a non-ministerial department.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry

AquaPeer · 26/01/2025 21:37

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 26/01/2025 21:32

You can buy the deeds from the land registry. The plan and the written document are seperate, and they're approx £3 each.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry

She’s already done that, they’re not marked

Baital · 26/01/2025 21:42

Whoever is responsible for the boundary doesn't have to provide a fence, just mark the boundary in some way.