fence query

joel10873

have just started renting a house from a housing association as a rent to buy. between us and next door (on the right as you look into the garden) is just a few posts a rails not a proper fence so our respective dogs can jump in each others gardens

spoke to the housing asoc who said the fence on the right is ours as the posts are our side and the fence on the left is ours too as we are the end terrace.

does this sound right, hubby seems to think if the posts are our side and the horizontals are the neighbours side the fence responsibility is theirs

Any opinions welcome!!!

Fire_Fox

Usually the 'back' of a fence (posts) faces to the owner and the nice side ('smooth') faces to the neighbour.

joel10873

thanks firefox, thats what they told me nice to get a second opinion though!!

clutton_2

it depends on what is in the deeds

joel10873

unfortunately i dont have the deeds clutton, i suspect the HA have them and its them who said which fence was mine though judging by teh fact she was asking me about fence posts i suspect she ws not looking at the deeds to work it out.

no big issue really just wondered if there was a general rule or if each one was different

Vincenzo

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Usually the 'back' of a fence (posts) faces to the owner and the nice side ('smooth') faces to the neighbour.

This can be used as an indication but not a genral rule. When you erect a fence on your own land you can face it whichever way you please, unless the fence faces a public highway/pavement, in which case it must face outwards.

As Clutton says the title deeds are the best starting point. Failing that (they are often useless in this respect) it is best guess/agreement with neighbour or a measured survey by a boundary Surveyor.

pimento

When I paid for my fence to be replaced, I faced the nice side to myself. I paid for it, after all.

purplebuzz

Vincenzo wrote: »

...unless the fence faces a public highway/pavement, in which case it must face outwards.

Just as an aside, how is the everyday lay person supposed to know this sort of thing??

keith969

You are more secure if the fence posts are on your side.

g_attrill

Traditionally it's smooth side out for security - no hand/foot holds.

Fire_Fox

Vincenzo wrote: »

This can be used as an indication but not a genral rule. When you erect a fence on your own land you can face it whichever way you please, unless the fence faces a public highway/pavement, in which case it must face outwards.

As Clutton says the title deeds are the best starting point. Failing that (they are often useless in this respect) it is best guess/agreement with neighbour or a measured survey by a boundary Surveyor.

Agreed, that's why I said 'usually'.