They may look pretty, but they could cause problems with neighbors
Summer is in full swing and many people will try to revise their gardens. Garden accessories can be a fantastic way to make your outdoor space more inviting, and fairy lights are an affordable choice to give your region a little atmosphere.
However, people were warned that hanging their lights on their fence can lead to problems. It may seem harmless to increase a number of attractive lights there, warn that experts could lead to complications.
She warned that it is not as easy as minor changes such as hanging out of the fairy lights or a bird box from her side of the border fence of a neighbor, since all changes require the permission of your neighbor.
A border fence between two properties often becomes a source of dispute among neighbors, with confusion about legal responsibilities and uncertainties about who is responsible for maintenance, which is responsible for the border fence.
Recent studies of Ronseal show that 72% of the British homeowners confess to their fence that their fence needs a kind of repair or replacement, while a quarter looks proud of their fence, reports the daily recording.
However, it is not just about Street Appeal, but also about Street Appeal, but also about the British Google, which is looking for “fence rules”, which rose by 25% compared to the previous year, since confusion about legal responsibilities increases and what homeowners can actually do with a common border.
A border fence between two properties often becomes a source of dispute among neighbors, with confusion about legal responsibilities and uncertainties about who is responsible for maintenance, which is responsible for the border fence.
In order to solve the confusion, Ronseal asked her in-house DIY and fencing specialists Jimmy Englezos to clarify matters regarding fence and garden maintenance and their legal position.
Before you make maintenance or structural changes to a border fence, it is important to establish possession of the fence and consequently to be responsible for its care.
Jimmy said: “If you try 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, you are a good place to check the deeds you have received when buying the property.
“If the property registration determines that you are the sole owner of the fence, you can make changes that you like, including painting when your property is listed or is on a designated property, first inquire with your local authorities, since the restrictions can apply first.
“Likewise, an 'H' on the border between the two properties can often be found, which indicates that the fence is a common responsibility between the neighbors”.
Jimmy has described five typical garden changes that may need neighboring approval before starting work.
1. Cultivation of plants against your neighbor's fence.
“The cultivation of plants in a border fence can be a great way to bring life to your garden and improve privacy. However, it is important to take into account whose fence. 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 the permission before you attach plants, attach a sling bearing or lean pots.
“When plants or trees penetrate into the garden of their neighbor, they 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 border can be seen in order to receive damage to property so that an open dialogue with neighbors are received.”
Painting or coloring a border fence.
“If it is your neighbor who owns the fence, you are legally not legally authorized to make cosmetic changes such as painting or stains without first receiving oral permission from you, even if it is only the side that is turned to your garden that you change.
“If painting and stains can help seal a fence and protect 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 on your side.
“If you have a resistance from neighbors, a compromise may only paint the front fence panels and not the sides – to ensure that your selection of color or stains is not visible from your neighboring garden, or alternatively the same color/color that your neighbors used for consistency.”
3 .. Removal of damaged panels.
The investigations showed that one of ten British said that a neighbor's fence needed a change of change, while 7% found that important repairs to their neighbors' fences were necessary and that a further 4% required minor improvements to their neighbors.
Jimmy outlines the steps that must be taken under these circumstances. “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 advisable to start with a friendly discussion about the necessary work. Some real estate owners propose to share the costs, although they do not have the fence, especially if this also means that they also receive input and monitoring the type of fences that are built.
“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 if you plan to install a new fence that the back garden fences in Great Britain must not be more than two meters, otherwise you will 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 costs for 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 tall tree near a common fence, it is best to speak to your neighbors and look for permission, as this could disturb your right to light if this affects the light that previously enjoyed the rooms of your neighbor's house.
“Secondly, 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.”