How to deal with a boundary dispute

With warmer weather and many home owners out in their gardens carrying out renovation or repair work, it’s no surprise that boundary disputes are on the up.

Whether it’s DIY work on fences, the repair of party walls or a concern over where your neighbour’s property ends and yours begins, a boundary dispute can be stressful and costly to manage.

Examples of boundary dispute

The most common types of dispute are:

• Disagreement or uncertainty over who owns which fence or wall
• Overhanging foliage
• Intrusive extensions
• Position of pipes and drains
• Rights of Way
• Responsibilities for repair
• Survey disputes

Blog | Whose fence is it anyway?

How is a boundary determined?

You can usually get an indication of your boundaries by looking at your property’s Title Deeds. However, these don’t always hold the answer and so a good look at the documents given when you purchased the property, may shed some light.

It’s a good idea for both you and your neighbour to look at your own documentation to compare. However, even with this evidence, both parties may still not agree or the boundary may have changed.

How can I resolve a boundary dispute?

Having a good relationship with neighbours is often one of the key factors in happiness at home, however, even the most easy-going person can find disagreements between neighbours unsettling. It can even drive people to think about moving.

Boundaries and the responsibility for their maintenance can be unclear, and so confusion over and arguments about boundary disputes are common. They can normally be settled amicably and without court action. The longer a case goes on, the more acrimonious and complicated it can get. It’s therefore vital to keep communication open and seek specialist legal advice early on.

Get in touch with our boundary dispute solicitors

If you’re unsure as to where a boundary lies, or who is responsible for repairs, our property litigation team can advise on your rights and responsibilities. Call us on 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form for an initial meeting.