Understanding which fence belongs to which property is one of the most common questions homeowners in York ask, and it is a sensible thing to clarify before any work is carried out. Unfortunately, there is a widespread myth that the fence on the left or the right “always” belongs to a specific house. In reality, this is not a reliable rule, and the only accurate way to confirm ownership is through documentation or mutual agreement between neighbours.

The first place to check is your property’s title deeds or Land Registry plan. Sometimes these documents will indicate boundary ownership using symbols such as “T” marks, where the stem of the T usually points towards the property responsible for maintaining that boundary. However, not all properties have detailed plans, and even when markings exist, the drawings are not always completely precise.

If your deeds do not make ownership clear, the next step is usually to discuss the boundary with your neighbour. Many people can remember who originally installed the fence or who has repaired it historically. If one neighbour has consistently maintained a boundary for years, it is often accepted informally that the fence belongs to that property. Most neighbours are reasonable when approached politely and are happy to agree which side is theirs or whether the responsibility should be shared.

It is important to understand that even if the fence technically belongs to you, you cannot encroach noticeably onto your neighbour’s land or alter the boundary in a way that negatively affects them. Boundaries that run directly along the property line should be installed carefully to avoid disputes. If you want to install a new fence on your own land but slightly inside the boundary so ownership is clear, that is usually acceptable too, provided no access or drainage issues are created.

At York Fencing, we do not decide boundary ownership – that must be agreed between the property owners – but we can advise on practical installation considerations. Before work begins, we always ensure you are confident about the boundary line so the fence is positioned correctly and avoids any future complications.