There are many clues when it comes to figuring out which neighbour is responsible for fixing the fence, but if you want to know for sure who should be replacing it, there's only one way to check15:54, 17 Jul 2026Updated 08:11, 21 Jul 2026Nobody wants to be locked into a fierce argument with their neighbours over the fence, but if you have kids, dogs, or just really value your privacy, and the fence is broken, you'll want to sort it out as soon as possible. And you don't want to pay for it if it isn't your responsibility.‌Many people head to social media to spout off about their neighbour refusing to fix a fence, not realising that it's actually their responsibility, which can leave them feeling a little silly.‌However, there is one way to know, "with certainty," who owns the fence that needs a repair, but it can be a lengthy process.‌What's the foolproof method?Jacksons Fencing specialists maintain there's only one guaranteed approach to resolve disagreements and ease tensions with those next door.The first thing you should do is to see whether the 'good' side of the fence faces your property, as it's standard practice for homeowners to position the 'good' side outwards."Typically, you can guess who owns a fence by seeing where the rails are, with the fence typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side of the fence," the professionals at Jacksons Fencing explain.‌They also added: "This is the most secure way of facing fencing, so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side."But this is not a foolproof approach to checking, and oftentimes, neighbours will get angry at one another, as neither wants to take responsibility for the potentially expensive repair.The only way to determine ownership is by checking the Title Plan or Land Registry documentation for the property.‌In these records, a 'T' symbol indicates who the boundary belongs to, thereby establishing responsibility for fence maintenance.If the 'T' marking appears on both sides forming an 'H' shape, the fence is shared ownership and both neighbours must work together on its maintenance as it represents a 'party wall'.If you suspect the boundary is incorrect, the specialists recommend checking the Land Registry to identify who holds responsibility for the fence - whether the property is rented or owned.Article continues belowBut there's an annoying catch. Jacksons Fencing explained: "Frustratingly, there is no way to make your neighbour repair their fence, even if it is rotting and making your garden look unsightly."You can look to hire a disputes expert, but this will go down as an official dispute and will have to be declared when selling your house."The only way to get around this would be to install your own fence within your boundary right next to it."