Nightmare neighbours kicking up a fuss over a shared space are the bane of many Britons across the UK.
One of those questions is how to divide the shared space of a fence. Can you paint your side a different color than your neighbor’s? Which side can he paint? Is he allowed to do so?
Luckily for anyone struggling to find answers to those questions, one fence company has shared what to do if your neighbor breaks out the paintbrush.
Nightmare neighbours kicking up a fuss over a shared space are the bane of many Britons across the UK (file image)
Timber, building and fencing supply company Lawsons shares information on who can paint a fence when it comes to neighbours (stock image)
Timber, building and fencing supply company Lawsons shares information on who can paint a fence when it comes to neighbours.
The company explained: ‘Only the owner of the fence can make changes to it, even when the other side of the fence is on a neighbouring property.
‘As a property owner, you must keep the fence in good condition and ensure that it is secure and does not present any danger to those around it.’
Citizens Advice also warns that you are not allowed to alter your side of your neighbour’s fence without their permission.
Your neighbor also has no obligation to change his or her wall or fence (for example, modify its height for greater privacy) just because you want him or her to.
If you think the fence is dangerous, you should tell them, as they may not be aware of the risk.
This is because your local authority has the power to order them to repair a dangerous wall or fence if they do not do it themselves.
There is no legal basis for claiming that property owners are always responsible for a particular side of their boundary.
The same applies if the fence posts are on someone’s side.
Citizens Advice also warns that you are not allowed to alter your side of your neighbour’s fence without their permission (file image)
Instead, the first place to start is the Land Registry to obtain a copy of the title record, title plan and any “filed” deeds for both your own property and your neighbour’s.
These documents can be obtained for £3 from Gov.uk for households in England and Wales and from the Scottish Land Information Service for those in Scotland.
If you pay to replace a fence that is not yours, the Land Registry explains that while you own the materials, your responsibility for the boundary still depends on the agreement with your neighbour.
This can change over time, for example if you get a new neighbor or if you change your mind.
(tags to translate)dailymail
