Boundary fences & neighbours
Which fence is yours, whether your neighbour has to pay half, and which way the good side faces. The questions we get asked most on site visits.
This is general guidance for England and Wales, not legal advice. For a dispute, talk to a solicitor or surveyor.
Check the title plan
Start with your deeds. You can download the title register and title plan for your home, and your neighbour’s, from HM Land Registry for a small fee. Many plans have a “T” mark on one side of a boundary line. The side the T sits on is usually the owner who is responsible for that boundary. Two Ts facing each other (it looks like an H) usually means you share it.
Plenty of plans have no marks at all, especially for older houses. Then look at the written deeds, the seller’s property information form from when you bought, or simply who has looked after that fence over the years.
Does my neighbour have to pay half?
Usually not. Unless your deeds say so, there is generally no legal duty to put up a fence at all, or to repair one. Owning the boundary doesn’t mean you must pay for a new fence, and a neighbour can’t normally be made to pay towards one. Shared boundaries are different, but even then it comes down to agreeing it between you.
In practice, most neighbours come to an arrangement: split the cost, or one pays and chooses the style. If you want a fence and your neighbour doesn’t, you can put one up at your own cost, just inside your side of the line.
Which way should the good side face?
There’s no law on it. It’s polite, and common, to put the smooth side towards your neighbour, with the posts and rails on your side. That also means you can get at the posts to look after them. Closeboard looks good from both sides. See closeboard vs panels.
Before you start
- Talk to your neighbour first, and agree where the line is.
- Agree the style, the height and who is paying, and put it in writing if it helps.
- Keep to the height limits. See planning permission for fences.
- Don’t fix things to a fence you don’t own without asking.
Quick answers
Does my neighbour have to pay for half of a fence?
Usually not. Unless the deeds say otherwise, there is generally no legal duty to put up or repair a fence, so most neighbours agree the cost between them.
How do I know which fence is mine?
Check the title plan from HM Land Registry. A T mark on your side of a boundary usually means it is yours to look after. An H shape usually means it is shared. Many plans have no marks.
Which side of the fence should face my neighbour?
There is no law on it. By custom the smooth side faces the neighbour and the posts and rails face the owner.
Can you help if my neighbour and I are sharing the cost?
Yes. We give one free written estimate, so you both know what you are agreeing to.