...the rules about hedges/fences between properties?
I remember that if YOU put a fence up, the 'nice' side has to face away from your property, and you end up with the crappy side, but there's also something about deciding whose responsibilty a hedge or fence actually is....
It's something like the right hand boundary is YOURS (and obviously this formula runs down the road for all your neighbours) but I can't remember the general rules....
Anybody help please?

I'm not sure about the rules on boundary ownership, but I do know that the maximum legal height for a garden fence is 2 metres (more's the pity!).

This has been discussed at length elsewhere on the Forum. If you do a "search" you will find something, I'm sure.

To give a quick response, however:

Assuming that you own your property and not a tenant, you can put your fence up whatever side round you like. Your neighbours may not be too happy but this is what being a neighbour is all about. You decide.
Right and left and ownership/responsibility all depends on what is stated in your deeds.

If you are a tenant, check your tenancy agreement.

I thought it was the other way round or were we just conned by our previous neighbours in replacing a wall?

roger-does that apply to privit too?

Cheers, all so far....
Yes, you're right - I always thought the thing about the 'good side' having to face away from you was the law of the land, but apparently not....It's a case of 'courtesy' to your neighbour, but there's no legal requirement apparently.
I'm thinking back to my last house ; row of semi's, and in our case the back garden had a tall hedge on one side, and fencing panels on the other....
Never had a row about either, but (like I wrote earlier) I thought there was some 'rule of thumb' about what was whose, if you see what I mean....
In answer to the other reply, these houses were all privately owned, some freehold, some leasehold .....

Hiya RiffRaff,

we were informed by our solicitors that your fence does'nt have to face "nice side" to your neighbors , it can be up to 2 metres high, and you are responsible for the right hand side of your property, hope you're not having any disputes as it's not a nice situation
hope this helps
deecee

i was once told by a fencing contractor that the protocol of having the "nice" or flat side facing the neighbour is that the fence panels should mark the boundary ... and if the "nice" side faces towards your property the fence posts will be on the neighbour's side and the boundary can then be in dispute?

Although i suppose if the fence posts are in between the panels, there's not much difference between the sides is there?:suspect:

(starts to look confused and goes for a lie down in a darkened room) :help:

right side depends which way u view the house, we are responsible for the left side as we look toward the front of the house from the street.
2m fence is only for rear gardens,front fences have to be lower than that 4ft i think.
the fence & posts have to be installed on your land fully & not straddling the boundary between the properties.
good or bad side out that is your prerogative 'cos you paid for it, if you go dutch with the neighbours god help you decide that one.
your neighbours are not allowed to paint the fence (or wax the floor lol) or fasten anything to it without your permission.
a psycho lives next door to me so i like to be sure of some things before i upset the status quo by erecting 6 foot fencing.if u don't get on with your neighbour remember to treat the fence on their side first.it's a pain in the ass getting permission to gain access to maintain your own property even though you legally have the right to do so.

If your property is leasehold you should also check the terms of the lease. In ours we are restricted to planting hedges, we can't have fences. If it's freehold it should be your choice.

The right and left thing seems odd to me. Maybe that's the way it was worked out when some dwellings were being built. For my house, I have responsibility for neither side at the rear.

Originally posted by hotphil
The right and left thing seems odd to me. Maybe that's the way it was worked out when some dwellings were being built. For my house, I have responsibility for neither side at the rear. I'm sure you're right, it should be specified in your deeds or lease.

Since our neighbours bought a trampoline, we have no privacy despite a having tall fence round our garden!

jayjay: there are different rules and regs about hedges - it's a bit of a minefield.

Surely you have privacy half the time i.e. on the "down" bounce? :D

tennancy properties has to be 3ft limit for front and 6ft for back.

tennancy properties has to be 3ft limit for front and 6ft for back.
Surely it's dependent on the individual property?

You need planning permission for any of the following:

* a fence over 1 metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway); or over 2 metres high elsewhere;

* your right to put up or alter fences, walls and gates has been removed by an article 4 direction or a planning condition;

* your house is a listed building or in the curtilage of a listed building.

You may also have individual restrictions in your title deeds and/or leasehold conditions, etc.