You could give your garden a nice ambience, but you can land in trouble
With the summer in full swing and garden upgrades for the heads and garden accessories of the people, accessories are a great way to make your outdoor space more inviting. Fairy lights are a budget -friendly option to add ambience to your space.
But gardeners were warned that hanging their lights on their fence could bring them into trouble. And although you may think it is harmless to move into a number of pretty lights there, this can lead to problems, experts' day.
They explain that it is not quite as simple as small changes such as hanging up springs or a bird box from their side of the border fence of a neighbor, since all changes require the permission of their neighbors.
A border fence between two properties is often a source of neighboring disputes, with confusion about legal responsibilities and uncertainties about who is responsible for accounting for which marginal fence.
A recent study by Ronseal shows that 72 percent of British homeowners admit that their fence needs a kind of repair or replacement, while a quarter looks proudly.
However, it is not just about curb appeal, the British Google search for “fence rules” increases by 25 percent compared to the previous year, since the confusion of legal responsibilities grows and what homeowners can actually do with a common border.
A border fence between two properties is often a source of neighboring disputes, with confusion about legal responsibilities and uncertainties about who is responsible for accounting for which marginal fence.
In order to regulate the debate, Ronseal took advantage of its local DIY and fence experts Jimmy Englezos to throw some light on the fence and garden maintenance and where they stand.
Before you carry out maintenance or structural work on a border fence, it is important to find out who the fence belongs and who is therefore responsible for your maintenance.
Jimmy explains: “If you want to paint your fence, it is important to find out where the border is between your houses and who owns every fence. If you are not sure, a good starting place is the review of the deeds that you have received when buying the property. You often see a 't' that indicates which fence side is your responsibility for maintaining.
“If you are the only owner of the fence in the land register registration, you can make changes that you like, including painting. If your property is listed or is on a designated property, first inquire with your local authorities, since the restrictions can apply first.
“An 'H' can also be found on the border between the two properties, which indicates that the fence is a common responsibility between the neighbors.”
Jimmy shared five joint garden updates, which may require permission from neighbors before the work begins.
1. Addition of your neighbor's fence has
“The cultivation of plants in a border fence can be a great way to bring life to your garden and to improve privacy. It is important to think about whose fence you use. Plants that either lean against a fence or grow up the panels can become difficult and finally weaken the fence, which causes it to collapse.
“If your neighbor has the fence you share, you have to catch up with permission before you attach plants, attach a sling bearing or lean pots.
“When plants or trees penetrate into the garden of your neighbor, you are entitled to cut them back to the border and vice versa. In this case, it is important to be aware that trimming beyond a limit can be seen that they are put in court to get property damage so that an open dialogue with neighbors are received.”
2nd painting or coloring of a border fence
“If it is your neighbor who owns the fence, you are not legally entitled to make cosmetic changes such as how painting Or color them without first receiving oral permission, even if it is only the side that faces their garden that they change.
“If painting and stains can contribute to sealing a fence and protecting it from the elements, which likes to give most neighbors permission as long as painting or the stains are tackled with care to ensure that no color is bleeding through the side.
“If you have a resistance from neighbors, a compromise may only be able to paint the front fence panels and not the pages – to ensure that your selection of color or stains is not visible from your neighboring garden, or alternatively use the same color/color for consistency.”
3. Repair of broken panels
According to the study, a tenth (11 percent) of the British stated that a neighbor's fence needed a complete replacement. 7 percent found that structural repairs were necessary for the neighbor's fence and another 4 percent claimed that their neighbors' fences needed cosmetic repairs.
Jimmy explains what to do in this situation. “Even if a border fence has to be completely replaced, you are still not allowed to repair it without first looking for permission when it belongs to your neighbor.
“It is best to have a polite conversation about the necessary work. Some homeowners offer to separate the costs, although they do not have the fence, especially if this means that they also have a say and a look at the type of fence that is installed.
“However, if this does not work and the damage is a security risk for your property, you may need to consider legal advice.
“Another option if you are looking for a faster, albeit more expensive solution that you put into control over the situation, is to sacrifice part of your own scope to install your own fence.
“It is also worth mentioning whether you are planning to install a new fence that in Great Britain the back garden fences must not be more than two meters, otherwise you have to obtain a building permit from the local authority.”
4. Decorations hang from the fence of a neighbor
“If it is your neighbor who has the fence, you have to get a permit from you before making changes to your property. This includes decorative changes such as hanging fairy lights or drill holes to hang mirrors or slopes of bird feed.
“If your neighbor gives permission and your changes cause structural damage, for example a mirror that is too heavy for the fence, you can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the fence.
“If you have the fence, you can decorate the area as you want as long as it does not endanger your neighbors or its property.
5. Plant a high tree near the fence of a neighbor
“If you think about planting a high tree near a common fence, it is best to talk to your neighbors, as this could disturb the right to light if this influences light in the rooms of your neighbor's house.
“Over time, the roots of the tree could grow deeper over time and spread into the neighboring garden, which may cause structural damage and then has the right to pursue legal steps against them.”