A collapsed or broken fence can be a difficult subject between neighbours - but who is responsible for maintaining a damaged fence?
With Merseyside being hit recently by a number of storms - including Storm Eunice which caused destruction to property and gardens - rows over boundary fences have left many wondering what the rules actually are.
In many cases it's not obvious who owns any fence or wall between you and your neighbour.
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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, reported WalesOnline.
Ownership of the boundary is normally determined by the builder who erects the buildings.
This is contrary to the myth some people believe, that the fence on your right looking out from your house belongs to you.
The only way to know for certain which fence belongs to you is by checking the title plan or Land Registry.
You can check the title plan or Land Registry details for a property for a small fee - usually £3 - here.
In these documents, there is a T mark on one side of the fence or wall which can be used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep.
However, as there is currently no obligation for boundary ownership to be clarified in title deeds across England and Wales, in some cases not all boundaries will be specified, or ownership might be shared between neighbours.
If this is the case, you'll have to request a copy of the deeds for the property online here.
If there is no clear answer, you may have to make a boundary agreement with your neighbour, so that there’s no doubt about who’s responsible for maintaining fences, walls, trees and hedges.
This could be a formal agreement, but in most cases an informal discussion with your neighbour should be enough to clarify things.
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