Fences often seem to be at the heart of most neighbour rows, but they also come with quite hefty fines.
Sean Bunyan at Eurocell, has shared how easily households can be caught out by planning restrictions or expensive disputes with neighbours, especially when it comes to garden fences.
He claimed that failing to install your fencing at the correct height is a big no-no.
When putting up fencing, it’s important to consider the legal limits for height. The maximum height for fencing is two metres.
It is possible to put up fencing higher than this limit, but you’ll need to acquire planning permission beforehand.
As ever, there are some conditions to the general rule, such as if your fence fronts a road, path, or public bridleway. In this case, if the fence is over one metre tall, you’ll also require planning permission.
You’ll also need planning permission if you live in a conservation area or historically listed building.
Sean said: “Failure to gain planning permission can trigger a sequence of events that could lead to a £20,000 fine or more.
“It’s important for people to do their research before they commit to starting any work. That way, people can avoid being hit by a hefty fine, or having a visit from the planning officer.”
As well as fence height, fence ownership is something households are not aware of.
Thankfully, the experts at Beaton’s Building Supplies have shared the “best way” to tell who owns which fence.
They warned: “It’s a common belief that the fence to the right is the one you are responsible for. However, this is merely a myth.”
They claimed that fence ownership differs for each home, and “the best way to determine which side of the fence is yours” is to check your house deeds, land registry or seller’s property information.
