UK households must do one thing before painting garden fence or 'face fines'

Many of us are fixing up our gardens this summer – but Brits need to check one important thing before sprucing up their fence with a lick of paint.

With the sun blazing, many parts of our garden are being exposed – for better or worse. Although summer heralds the blossoming of many gorgeous flowers and fruits, it can also highlight gardens in need of grooming and repair. One common household issue is dealing with a fence that has become damaged, patchy in appearance, or covered in the unsightly elements from winter.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to remedy this is to give your fence a fresh coat of paint – but be warned. There is one major factor that you need to be sure of before making changes to your fence.

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While you might assume that you own your garden fence, this isn’t always the case. In some situations, a fence can be owned by both you and your neighbour.

If you’re not sure whether you own your fence, garden-owners need to find out. Fortunately, there are several ways to do this.

Garden fence rules explained

Generally speaking, if the fence is entirely on your property, you typically have the right to make changes. However, if the fence is on the boundary line or completely on your neighbour's property, you should to seek their permission before even thinking about getting the paint brushes out.

If you’re not certain who owns the fence or whose property it lies on, there are ways to check. You can either find the information in the property deeds or seek a professional land survey.

This also goes for other kinds of repairs or alterations. In the case of shared fence ownership, East Coast Fencing advises that “any changes or repairs should ideally be agreed upon by both property owners.”

They continue: “Painting one side of a shared fence without consulting your neighbour can lead to disputes and potentially damage the relationship. Open communication and mutual agreement are essential in these situations.”

This is important, as altering a fence without permission can have varying legal consequences. In some areas, this can even result in fines or legal action.

When it comes to approaching the topic with a neighbour, it’s a good idea to have an open and honest conversation. You should clearly explain your intentions behind wanting to paint your fence.

Ideally, you should try to reach a mutual agreement with your neighbour. It’s also advised to document the agreement in writing for future reference.

If you and your neighbour can’t reach an agreement, East Coast Fencing recommends using a mediator. This is typically less costly and stressful than taking legal action.