Neighbour replaced fence on shared boundary

quids_in

Hi
Our neighbour has replaced a section of fence on the boundary that is shared with our property.  The title deed shows the property area in red and there are no other markings e.g. 'T' to indicate ownership by us.  
The remainder of the fence is in traditional wood but this new section (3-4) panels is grey composite and so doesn't match with the rest of the fence or other fencing around our property.
Needless to say, we really don't like.  It is ugly and obtrusive. 
The neighbour gave us no prior notice and did not consult with us about the change.  They have made no apology for their action.

Do they have a right to do this on a shared boundary?  Is there any way to het this changed back to wood fencing?   The situation has caused ill feeling with the neighbour and it would now be difficult to talk with them.  It seems very unfair that we have to put up with this ugly fence.  

user1977

Is it a "shared boundary" if the titles are silent about it, or have they in fact replaced a fence which is on their land?

Bookworm225

why do you have any more right to object than they do to pay for a new fence and save you the cost of doing so?

why do you think you have the final say?

eddddy

quids_in said:

Do they have a right to do this on a shared boundary?  Is there any way to het this changed back to wood fencing?   The situation has caused ill feeling with the neighbour and it would now be difficult to talk with them.  It seems very unfair that we have to put up with this ugly fence.  

Typically, people put up fences just on their side of the boundary line - so it's their fence on their land. Is that what your neighbour has done?

If so, you don't really have a say in what type of fence your neighbour puts up on their own land.

So if you don't like the look of their composite fence, you could put a wooden fence just on your side of the boundary line - and that would hide it.




Edit to add...

But if the original wooden fence belonged to you and was on your land (on your side of the boundary), then the neighbour would have had no right to remove it.

Albermarle

Whatever the legalities, a normal person would have had a chat with their neighbour first.

quids_in

My understanding is that if there are no other markings on the red line, then the boundary is shared.  It is also in writing in the title deed.

The previous fence panels were fairly new and undamaged.  They didn't need replacing and so it's not "saved us the cost of a new fence".  It would have been just as easy and same cost for them to install a new fence a few inches into their property  and leave the shared fence as is. 
 
There is an impact here because it affects the enjoyment of our

I still believe we should have been consulted and what they have done is wrong for that reason.

powerful_Rogue

quids_in said:

Hi
Our neighbour has replaced a section of fence on the boundary that is shared with our property.  The title deed shows the property area in red and there are no other markings e.g. 'T' to indicate ownership by us. 

The remainder of the fence is in traditional wood but this new section (3-4) panels is grey composite and so doesn't match with the rest of the fence or other fencing around our property.
Needless to say, we really don't like.  It is ugly and obtrusive. 
The neighbour gave us no prior notice and did not consult with us about the change.  They have made no apology for their action.

Do they have a right to do this on a shared boundary?  Is there any way to het this changed back to wood fencing?   The situation has caused ill feeling with the neighbour and it would now be difficult to talk with them.  It seems very unfair that we have to put up with this ugly fence.  

If there is no 'T' on your deeds, or any other markings such as a 'H' indicating joint owership, then it sounds like the fence potentially belongs to your neighbour.

https://www.pettyson.co.uk/about-us/our-blog/775-which-fence-am-i-responsible-for

WIAWSNB

quids_in said:

My understanding is that if there are no other markings on the red line, then the boundary is shared.  It is also in writing in the title deed.

The previous fence panels were fairly new and undamaged.  They didn't need replacing and so it's not "saved us the cost of a new fence".  It would have been just as easy and same cost for them to install a new fence a few inches into their property  and leave the shared fence as is. 
 
There is an impact here because it affects the enjoyment of our

I still believe we should have been consulted and what they have done is wrong for that reason.

That is largely correct, but with some caveats.
Are you certain the current fence sits exactly 'on' the invisible boundary line? How old are the properties? When was the fence last rebuilt?
I don't think there's much question about their action being inconsiderate in them not discussing it with you first, but you currently don't know if it was entirely innocent - perhaps they believe it's their fence - or presumptuous.
Have you spoken to them? Do you know if they intend to replace it all as time and money allows? Have you checked their deeds (£5) to see if it contains more boundary info than yours?
Bottom line, a composite fence should last longer than a timber one, and - if it's truly straddling the boundary - you can paint your side a different colour.
They might have saved you a small fortune.
Other solutions - mount decorative trellis against your side.
Any chance of a pic?

Abbafan1972

I would be a bit peeved about not being consulted to be honest. 

You can buy shower curtains with nice scenery on to cover up ugly fence panels - we’ve just bought one to partially cover our neighbours ugly extension wall that’s next to our patio.