You and your neighbour share a boundary. That means you can’t just build a 2-metre wall right up to their side without a chat. The Party Wall Act doesn’t usually apply to simple fences, but the law of “don’t be a jerk” does. If your fence leans into their garden, you’re asking for a passive-aggressive note through the letterbox.
Best advice? Talk to them first. Offer to share the cost. Say, “I’ll build a lovely fence, but you can pick the colour.” That’s called diplomacy. And it’s way cheaper than hiring a solicitor.
Remember: The fence you build is your property. If it falls over, that’s your problem. If it’s ugly, that’s your problem. And if a windstorm sends it flying into your neighbour’s prize petunias? Yep, still your problem.
Exceptions to the rule (because life loves a curveball)
If you live in a World Heritage Site, a national park, or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the rules get stricter. You might need permission for any fence over 1 metre. Even a “temporary” one for a summer party. The council loves paperwork, apparently.
Also, farmland fences are different. If you’re farming sheep, your fence can be high enough to stop a kangaroo. But you still need to check with the local planning authority. Government loves fencing rules almost as much as it loves tea.
And finally: hedges. A hedge is not a fence, but it’s treated similarly. A 2-metre hedge is fine. A 10-metre hedge? That’s a tree. Don’t plant a tree where your fence should be—you’ll get shade, damp, and a very angry postman who can’t reach your letterbox.
