A homeowner was preparing to replace all their garden fences due to rot and age, but one neighbour suddenly objected to the style they had chosen – so they looked into their UK boundary fence rights15:29, 11 Aug 2026When living in a house, one thing that will make your life easier and more enjoyable is getting along with your neighbours, especially those you share a fence with.‌While you don't have to become best friends with the people you live next door to, it will be easier if you're civil to each other, since you are living close together and sharing certain things, such as walls and fences. But things can quickly turn sour when you're working together to fix a shared issue, such as broken or rotting fences, because it can be difficult to know who's responsible for what.‌This was the case for one homeowner, who took to Reddit's 'LegalAdviceUK' page to ask for advice after getting into a disagreement with one of their neighbours after sharing plans to replace all of their garden fences, explaining that the title deed confirmed they were responsible for all of them.‌"We have had quotes and are ready to proceed," they wrote. "However, one of the neighbours this morning knocked on my door saying the style we've gone for (typical H-frame panels and pillars) is not 'like for like' and that it needs to be so."The homeowner explained they hadn't opted for the same style of fencing because their other neighbour has concrete posts, which aren't compatible with standard panel fences. Instead, it's one long, continuous fence with crossbeams bolted to the supports.‌The existing fence was over 30 years old and well overdue for replacement, having begun to rot. They added: "There are plenty of places where the crossbeams have rotten away and fallen, meaning the vertical slats are no longer fully secured, and with the wind and storms, several have started to come loose."I cannot maintain it going forward, and it is only getting more and more damaged. If a section blows down, I can't just pop to a local fence supplier and get a panel, which the new style would allow me to do."The homeowner noted that when purchasing the property, they were fully aware of their responsibility for the fencing. However, there had been 'no mention made of any agreement or covenant about this fence being "like for like"'.‌Therefore, they don't plan on changing the new fence. While this is perfectly legal, some still think it's wise to negotiate with your neighbours in these circumstances.One responder wrote: "It might be worth trying to compromise with the NDN (next door neighbour), for the sake of a quiet life. Your argument for needing a panel design makes perfect sense, but could there be a compromise on the panel design, so it looks more like what was there before?"Who is responsible for shared garden fences?‌Under UK law, the legal owner of a garden fence bears responsibility for its upkeep and repairs. To determine who owns a particular fence, consult your property's title deeds or check the official records through the UK Land Registry. Look out for a "T" marking on the boundary plan, which indicates the owner responsible for maintenance.As a rule, an owner isn't legally obliged to repair a damaged or deteriorating fence unless it presents a safety risk or causes structural harm to a neighbour.If your neighbour refuses to fix their broken or rotting fence, you're legally entitled to construct your own separate fence entirely within your side of the boundary line.Article continues belowUnder UK law, homeowners are allowed to change or replace the style of their garden fence without planning permission, provided the new design is no more than two metres in height in the back garden, or one metre if adjacent to a public road or footpath.If the fence is genuinely shared, meaning it's jointly owned by deed or a party boundary agreement, any alterations to its style or structure require agreement from both parties.