Whose responsibility is this fence? Or is it joint?

HurdyGurdy

Our house is in the middle of a row of semis. As far as the fencing at the sides of the garden are concerned, we know who is responsible for what.

But our gardens back onto the gardens of the houses in the next street with a fence between them.

The fence between us and the house we back onto is utterly rotten. We are going to replace our side fence and would like to do the end fence at the same time.

Is there a hard and fast rule about who owns/is responsible for the fencing? We have no objection to paying for it, because we look at the fence, whereas the house we back onto has got a row of brick build outbuildings hiding it from their view, so we would benefit from it.

But just wondering, if we wanted to, could/should we ask the other house to contribute?

PasturesNew

It's written in the deeds. Every house will be different, so you need to read your deeds.

comeandgo

If you own your house, and I'm assuming you do, then it should be noted in the house deeds.

Mojisola

PasturesNew wrote: »

It's written in the deeds. Every house will be different, so you need to read your deeds.

It might be in the deeds but it isn't always.

Sometimes the deeds will say it's marked on the map but the marks aren't there.

Have you spoken to the people in the house at the back? You could ask them to contribute but, if they can't see the fence, they're probably not bothered about its condition.

Bigphil1474

I'd go round and let them know you're thinking of having it replaced. They might not want to contribute as it doesn't affect them, but they might be really nice people who offer to pay a contribution because its on their land (if it is) or they know they should, or they might just turn round and say its on your land so they don't want to or think they should pay. If you're happy paying then it doesn't really matter does it?