Homeowners have been warned that painting a neighbour's fence without permission could constitute criminal damage, even if only the side facing your garden is painted. According to fencing experts Knight Fencing Ltd, the legal ownership of a fence is determined by the title deeds of a property, not by common assumptions.
On property plans, ownership is indicated by a 'T' marking on one side of the boundary. A double 'T' resembling an 'H' signifies shared ownership. Without checking these deeds, homeowners cannot be certain they have the right to alter the fence.
Knight Fencing Ltd stated: 'You should only paint, stain or varnish your neighbour’s fencing with their permission. However good your intentions, if you do it without their say-so, it’s criminal damage.' This advice is echoed by Citizens Advice, which notes that neighbours are not obliged to change a fence just because you want them to.
If a fence is in dangerous disrepair, the council can be notified. However, repairs—including painting or installing new panels—cannot be undertaken without the owner's consent. Homeowners can instead erect their own fence or use plants to conceal the damage.
