How do you determine who is responsible for a garden fence or wall

A. Boundaries, and who is responsible for what is one of the most complicated parts of property law and the biggest cause of inter-neighbourly disputes. With modern properties it is usually clear from the deeds who is responsible for what. However, with older properties these details have often been lost or are not clear.

A. A party wall is a boundary which is deemed to be the join responsibility of two neighbours, i.e. they each own the half nearest to their property and are responsible for its upkeep.

The Party Wall Act requires anyone doing work or making alterations to a party wall to give their neighbours notice in writing. The neighbours must then give their consent to the changes in writing. If this isn't forthcoming then it is said to be a matter of dispute. At this point, either both parties appoint their own surveyors who come to an agreement to suit both parties, or if agreement still can't be reached then a third surveyor is called in to mediate, with the neighbour wanting to do the work picking up the bill.

A. The number of neighbourly disputes caused by high-hedges, usually the dreaded leylandii, has been well documented. However, unlike with fences or walls, which require planning permission if they are going to be over two metres, there is no legislation ruling hedges, although this is likely to change soon. Disputes over high hedges can be taken to the civil courts, but this can be expensive and extremely stressful. If talking can't solve the problem try mediation. You can call UK Mediation on 0117 904 6661.