PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Confusion over who has responsibility for fence

Options
Hello, I have a potential issue over who has responsibility for a fence that borders my property and my neighbour's. When I bought my property, my conveyancing solicitor told me that my neighbour was responsible for maintaining the fence. I have a copy of the 'property information form' and an email from my solicitor confirming this. Unfortunately my neighbour's landlord has said that I am responsible for maintaining the fence between the two properties. In view of this, I was wondering the best course of action to take, whether to wait for the fence to blow down and then present the neighbour's landlord with my evidence that they are responsible or whether there is something I could be doing now. Any help and advice would be much appreciated!
«1

Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    What evidence would you be presenting them with? Have you actually checked your (and their) titles?
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Your solicitor told you that the neighbouring property's owner was responsible for maintaining the boundary...

    That doesn't mean they own the fence.
  • bouicca21
    bouicca21 Posts: 6,691 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    No obligation to have a fence ...
  • davidmcn said:
    What evidence would you be presenting them with? Have you actually checked your (and their) titles?
    Well at the moment I just have the property information form (completed by the previous owner) and an email from my solicitor to go on. I have looked at my title plan and register and it doesn't give any clue as to who is responsible for that boundary. Also I am in the process of getting a copy of my neighbour's title plan and register.
  • bouicca21 said:
    No obligation to have a fence ...
    I agree, my neighbours are lovely people and I am sure they would be ok if we had no dividing fence at all. I still think I need to know in case they move on in the future or I decide to sell on my property.
  • AdrianC said:
    Your solicitor told you that the neighbouring property's owner was responsible for maintaining the boundary...

    That doesn't mean they own the fence.
    I am still trying to meet with my neighbour's landlord, as I have only found out second-hand via my neighbour. It would certainly be useful to hear what they have to say if they have owned the property for a considerable time.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    It doesnt matter, you're missing the point.

    No matter who owns it, there's no obligations to repair it. You want a fence, put one up. 
  • Comms69 said:
    It doesnt matter, you're missing the point.

    No matter who owns it, there's no obligations to repair it. You want a fence, put one up. 
    I apologise I am new to the whole business of home ownership. So I could just put in new fence panels as and when they need replacing to improve the look of my garden and then when it is time for me to sell just put 'unknown' on my property information form for who is responsible for the boundary? 
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Matt_2020 said:
    bouicca21 said:
    No obligation to have a fence ...
    I agree, my neighbours are lovely people and I am sure they would be ok if we had no dividing fence at all. I still think I need to know in case they move on in the future or I decide to sell on my property.
    If you think the garden needs a new fence when you come to sell then you put one up. 
  • greatcrested
    greatcrested Posts: 5,925 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Matt_2020 said:
    davidmcn said:
    What evidence would you be presenting them with? Have you actually checked your (and their) titles?
    Well at the moment I just have the property information form (completed by the previous owner)
    Well - and what exactly does it say? I can't read it from here????
    This comes up so often we really need a stickie......
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.