Garden fence.

[shihtzublue]

My neighbours rent their property and the whole of their fence was demolished in the first lot of winds we had before Christmas.

They are a nice couple and I have asked if their landlord is going to do anything about it as I have a dog and have to take her out into the garden on a lead as it is not fair for her to go into their garden but at the same time her freedom is being taken away.

Apparently the landlord has had three quotes but has rejected them all.

Where do you go from here? It is getting to be a bit annoying now

[The Builder]

The problem is Shihtz, that no one is legally obliged to put up a fence at all (unless there's a covenant or planning condition etc).
All you can do is to put up your own.

[shihtzublue]

I bought my house 4yrs ago and the contract says that you have to maintain your fences. I would offer to go half but I am responsible for the right hand side fence and the back fence

[shihtzublue]

Also does that mean that I don't have to keep my pooch in my garden then

[jomifl]

If you don't want animals on your land it is your responsibility to fence it, if you don't want your animals to stray from your land then it is your resposibility to fence them in. I makes sense if you think about it.

[jackthehat]

Does it define what a 'fence' is?

A horizontal three-wire thingy counts as a 'fence' but would be rubbish at keeping your dog in your garden.

I'm afraid, as The Builder says, all you can do is erect your own fence to keep your dog safely in your garden.

[shihtzublue]

Looks like that's what I shall be doing then thanks. Just one other thing, why do they bother to put on the plans of your house who owns which fence if you are not at liberty to maintain them. Sounds a bit crazy to me.

[hippyhoppy]

Actually Builder... you might have some insight here... I was told the fence on the left (as you stand in the front room and look out) belonged to the people who backed on to it.. however, there is a passage for the first two houses who have back fences of their own.. so if mine blows down.. they're not going to give a crap about my fence as their's are ok.. I trust then I'm to pay as how can they be responsible for two back fences...

[buildersmate]

Firstly there's no 'rule' about fences on the left belonging to anyone in particular. It's an urban myth often proferred on AB.
Secondly the reason why the Land Registry may show fence ownership on title plans (often annotated by a T in the inside to show ownership) is for convenience on estate developments on first transfer (purchase) - there is no obligation to maintain said fence and the person whose fence it isn't is perfectly at liberty to erect their own fence on their own side.

[shihtzublue]

Seems a bit unfair but if that's what I have to do I will look into it.