Nightmare neighbours who spoil a communal space are a plague for many Brits in the UK.
One of those issues is how to divide the shared space of a fence. Are you allowed to paint your side a different color than your neighbor? How much of it are they allowed to paint? Are they even allowed to do that?
Luckily for anyone struggling to answer these questions, a fencing company has shared what to do when your neighbor picks up the paintbrush.
Nightmare neighbours who make a fuss over a shared space are the bane of many Brits in the UK (File photo)
Timber, construction and fencing company Lawsons has shared information about who is allowed to paint a fence when it concerns neighbours (file image)
Timber, construction and fencing company Lawsons shares information about who is allowed to paint a fence in front of neighbors.
The company said: ‘Only the owner of the fence may make changes to it, even if the other side of the fence is on an adjacent property.
‘As the owner, you must maintain the fencing properly and ensure that it is safe and does not pose a danger to people in the area.’
Citizens Advice also warns that you must not make any changes to your side of your neighbour’s fence without permission.
Your neighbours are also not obliged to change their wall or fence, for example to change its height for more privacy, just because you want them to.
If you think the fence is dangerous, you should tell them. They may not be aware of the risk.
This is because your local government has the power to order them to repair a dangerous wall or fence if they do not do so themselves.
There is no legal basis for the claim that owners are always responsible for a particular side of their property boundary.
The same goes for the question of whether the poles are on someone’s side.
Citizens Advice also warns that it is not permitted to alter your side of your neighbour’s fence without their permission (file image)
It is best to first go to the Land Registry to obtain a copy of the property register, the property plan and any ‘filed’ deeds for both your own home and that of your neighbours.
These documents are available for £3 from Gov.uk for properties in England and Wales and from Scotland’s Land Information Service for properties in Scotland.
If you pay to replace a fence and it was not your fence, the Land Registry explains that while you own the materials, your responsibility for the boundary remains subject to the agreement with your neighbours.
This may change over time, for example if you get new neighbours or if you change your mind.