Advice on fencing

[MG1412]

I saw my next door neighbour changing a fence panel that our gardens share (without informing me).

Anyway, I had a chat with them and while I own my property, they are tenants.

I told them that it's the landlord's responsibility but they were happy to pay for the panels.

However, I've had a quote for someone to do the remainder of the work as the fence posts need replacing as well.

I've got three options: pay for the work myself; ask the tenants to contribute towards some of the cost; liaise with the landlord (or their management company if there is one) about sharing the cost (not sure though how I can find out their details without asking the tenants). Any advice please?

When you say 'share' do you mean the fence is between your two properties, or do you deeds actually say you share responsibility?

Have you checked your deeds to see who is responsible for the boundary? That will determine how to proceed.

Who owns the fence?

There's a world of WRONG information on here regarding garden fences.

Unless it's specifically mentioned in your deeds, you are not generally responsible for any boundary or required to put up any fence.

This whole "I'm responsible for the fence on the left" is bollocks.

OP, do you own the fence or are you contractually obliged to maintain it?

I like to point out on these threads that in my deeds it actually states that all boundaries are shared with the neighbours and that we must maintain and keep in good repair any fence or wall that was in place when the estate was built.

Most deeds just say who is responsible for the boundary, no need for a fence it is just that most people like to separate their land from their neighbour. Always get a copy of yours and your neighbour's deeds to make sure they match up and if needed you can provide them with a copy. Always refer to the deeds.

As our boundaries are shared we specifically bought fence panels that can be painted but no drip through to the other side, they are tongue and groove ones and agreed with our neighbour. I would say if you want it all changed be prepared to pay for the whole thing yourself as sometimes people just cannot afford to contribute. Take photos and videos of the fence now, and when you have put your new one in. Take a photo of the invoice/receipt so you always have it to prove who paid for it. This isn't because of who is next door, this is for any time in the future you need to refer back to it.

Thanks for all your replies.
The deeds are held by my building society so I will see if I can find out who is responsible for the boundary and take it from there.

You can pay £3 online to the land registry and download the title plan, sometimes a T denotes responsibility.

To be honest I've always prioritised good neighbourly relationships and just paid fully for whatever I wanted replaced, with their permission.

That way, you get to choose what's done, who by etc. Anything for less stress.

Thanks for this.

I did purchase a title plan for £3 a couple of months ago but there are no T markings. The house was built in 1970 so it's not a new property.

Personally, I'm not for or against changing the fence panels as they currently stand, but it's the tenants who have bought new fence panels and started changing them over with the old ones. They never informed me and when I said that it's the landlord's responsibility to carry out any repairs, it appears they have not informed him either. I've not given them the go ahead to replace further panels until I know what the homeowner, their landlord, says.