Boundary Question

Hi all. I have a question regarding the responsibility of maintaining the fence at the bottom of my garden. I have some very boisterous boys living in the house behind ours and everytime I check the fence behind the trees the holes seem to be getting bigger. I have a toddler and 2 small kids, they have a GSD and a Staffordshire B.T, say no more.

A couple of years ago one panel collapsed and I had to lock the kids in as their dogs were roaming the garden. We bought a panel and repaired it. I'm starting to think that the family there might think if they trash the fence we will pay to have it repaired, but whose responsibility is a fence at the bottom of a garden?

Just to add that I've just checked and the thick part of the posts is on their side of the fence. :confused:

 

You may find this site useful.

http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php?sid=2bace2536e9a5df30df00b3876619e47

 

Well done Rich I have used this site too. Good luck Juliet, neighbour diplomacy is a real pain in the rear. If you are unsure as to ownership of the boundary it is worth checking your deeds. Certainly on my deeds it is indicated which boundary is my responsibility.

Have a browse ...

http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/boundaries.html

 

Thats really great thanks guys.

 

Bounderies are always sticky issues, at the end of the day your greatest asset will be your own skills of negotiation amd people management.

Its one thing knowing the law, its another trying to enforce it and at the end of the day you all have to live with each other. I would first try to send your ignorant neighbours on a guilt trip!

 

Well said Waco, its one thing being right but another living with the consequences of being right!

 

I've got a similar problem - my neighnours kids kicked a hole in the fence while I was standing there! According to the deeds they own the fence, but I think they think we do. Not sure whether it's worth the argement or maybe I should just stick something ugly over the hole and hope they take the hint. I just know they will insist their children could never have done such a thing.

 

I have had sticky boundery problems with Leylandii - long story, but my neighbour had a good way of dealing with me (I am realy a tough cooky to deal with and have loads of patience) I was obviously not going to give in on boundary recognition and he was in a hurry as he wanted to sell his house.

solution - He build a new fence with the good bit of it facing his own land, this was just inside the actual boundary fence line. He then put up another fence just made of pig wire which he called the boundary fence for sale purposes.

I appreciate you would have to have enough land to spare, but its an idea just to leave them with the XXX fence and build your own on the inside of it.