Is a fence a legal boundary?

For rural properties, fences are generally considered by the landowners to be the boundaries. But by law, the actual boundary is an imaginary line that is located according to the property description in the deeds to the properties.
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How close to property line can I build a fence?

Typically, fences are installed anywhere from 2 to 8 inches from a property line in most areas. Some areas might allow to go right up to a property line, especially if you live in an urban row house where every inch makes a difference!
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Do you own your side of the fence?

The fence belongs entirely to your neighbor if it lies on their side of the property line. However, if the fence falls directly on the property line, the responsibility is shared between you and your neighbor.
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Can my neighbor build a fence next to my fence?

Yes. Yes, you can build next to your neighbour's fence. As long as you're inside your property line you're fine.
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Can my Neighbour build right to my boundary?

In general, your neighbour only has the right to build up to the boundary line (line of junction) between the two properties but there are circumstances when they can legitimately build on your land. You can give consent for them to build a new party wall and foundations on your land.
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Legal boundaries: Boundaries part 5



Who owns the fence between two houses?

When looking at the plans, the ownership is indicated by a “T” marked on the plans on one side of a boundary. If the “T” is written on your side of the boundary, you're responsible for maintaining it. If there's an H (although actually it's two joined Ts) the boundary is the joint responsibility of both parties.
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What is the law regarding garden fences?

The laws actually state that a fence can be as high as 100 meters. However, this is only allowed if proper planning permits have been obtained. This means that any fence under 2 meters in height does not require a permit.
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Can Neighbour lean things on my fence?

It's simple: you can only do this if your neighbour says you can. If you lean something against or hang something on your neighbour's fence without permission and the extra burden on the panels causes damage to the fencing (which is very likely to happen sooner or later), you will have to pay for the repairs.
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Which side of the fence is my responsibility?

There is no general rule about whether you own the fence on the left-hand or right-hand side of your property. So forget any 'rules' you've heard previously that state otherwise – not everyone will own the left-hand side of their fence.
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How close to my property line can I build?

The building distance limit depends on the structure you intend on building. It usually ranges between five to 15 feet. It is important to communicate property boundaries with your neighbor before beginning any permanent or semi-permanent projects, due to the risk of township or county penalties.
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Can I paint my side of a shared fence?

When it comes to fence painting, you can do whatever you want to your side of the fence. So, if it is your fence on both the outside and the inside, then you are free to do whatever you like in regards to painting.
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How close to property line can I plant a tree?

Trees planted close to the property line can become a problem when they grow. Trees should be planted 3 – 4 feet from property lines to allow for future growth.
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Who pays for fence between neighbors UK?

As one would expect, in most cases, the owner is responsible for any maintenance the fence may require. Again, as expected, party walls and fences would be the joint responsibility of both neighbours.
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Do I own the left or right fence?

First let's clear up the age old myth of; “Each home owner is responsible for maintaining the fence on the left-hand side, as you look at the property from the road”. This is FICTION. There is no general rule about whether you own the fence on the left or the fence on the right of your property.
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What is the 7 year boundary rule UK?

Some believe that there is a 7-year limit on adverse possession, meaning that a squatter can take ownership of land after they have been using that land without the owner's permission for a certain amount of time.
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Can your Neighbour paint your fence?

If your neighbour owns the wall or fence

Your neighbour doesn't have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can't make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it.
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Can a Neighbour touch your fence?

The short answer to this question is, of course, “no”. If you own the fence and you have not granted your neighbour permission to do so, they are not allowed to attach or nail things to your fence.
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Can a Neighbour enter my garden without permission?

Generally speaking, your neighbour should not go onto your land without your permission. There are some situations where they may be able to access your land in order to complete repairs to their property, and their right to do this may be set out in the title deeds for the home.
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How high can a fence be without planning permission?

You will need to apply for planning permission if you wish to erect or add to a fence, wall or gate where: it would be over 1 metre high and fronting a road used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a road) or over 2 metres high elsewhere.
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Who is legally responsible for garden fences?

The owner of the fence is usually responsible for maintaining the fence. However, this is not always the case. The owner may wish to have the side without the posts – the best side – facing their garden and erect the fence and the posts entirely within their own garden.
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Who owns the fence between two houses UK?

Article Summary. In England and Wales, there is no legal presumption that a person owns or must maintain a fence or other boundary barrier on the left or on the right. Ownership of the boundary is normally determined by the builder who erects the buildings.
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Can I put up a screen on my side of the fence?

Privacy screens can be installed directly in front of the existing fence (on your side), totally negating the need to negotiate with your neighbours. Whilst there may still be some height regulations for your local council, it can provide a lot more freedom for you.
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How do I know who owns the fence?

Typically, you can guess who owns a fence by seeing where the rails are, with the fence typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side of the fence. This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden.
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Can I put a fence up without my Neighbours permission UK?

If you're someone who wants to put your fence in a place which is completely on your property, then you don't have any issues, and you're free to do whatever you please. However, if you want to intrude on the boundary line between you and your neighbours property, that's when you have to ask permission.
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