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If you're erecting a garden fence between you and your neighbours, you might be wondering if there are any UK laws to tell you who gets the "good" side. There can be strong opinions about this, so read on to find out which way round to position your fence panels.
UPDATED 05/01/2022
Most fence panels and gates have one side that’s more attractive than the other – one side is usually smoother, displaying the best features of the design; the other is where the supporting posts and rails can be seen (not quite so pretty!).
So which side of the fence should face towards your property?
You’ve probably always assumed that the nicer side of the fence should face into your own garden, and why not, if that boundary is your responsibility and you’ve paid for the new fence? So it can result in an unpleasant conversation if your neighbour complains at having the less attractive side turned towards them.They might eveninsist that the “good” side should face their own garden.
Unfortunately, with a few exceptions which we describe below, the UKdoesn't have any hard and fast laws about this aspect of garden fences.If the boundary between you and your neighbour’s garden is your responsibility (check your property deeds) and you are paying for the fence, it can face any direction you like.
Considerations and exceptions
Neighbourly relations!
If you’re the courteous type and enjoy getting along with your neighbours, it would be generous to show the smooth side of the fence towards them,but this is far from being an established convention and there’s absolutely no obligation to do so if you don't want to.
One boundary - two fences!
These days, homeowners sometimes erect their own fence along a boundary line, even though their neighbour has already put up an existing fence behind it. If your neighbour has erected their own fence on their side of the boundary, they’ve saved you some soul-searching! Your conscience is clear to face the “good” side towards your own garden!
If you're sharing the cost
If your neighbour has made a financial contribution towards the new fence, it’s a good idea to agree which direction it will face before it’s installed. You might take into consideration whose boundary the fence is on and the proportion of the financial outlay on both sides.
When to take advice about your fence
If you live in a Conservation Area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or a listed building, it’s a good idea to take advice from your local Planning Office, as there could be strict rules about erecting or altering fences and gates that affect the direction it faces, especially if it fronts the highway.
When you should face the “good” side away from you
If your fence faces the road, i.e. on a front garden boundary, it would look rather odd to have the post and rails visible from the street – almost as if it had been put up back-to-front! Although there is no law as such to enforce it, in this situation, the usual convention is for the more attractive side of the fence to face outwards.
Can you put up a fence without your neighbour's permission?
What if your neighbour is responsible for the boundary between your gardens and they have put up a fence you don't like? Maybe they have given you the less attractive side of the fence to look at! Can you put up your own fence to hide or disguiseit, without their permission? Generally, yes, you can, but you must make sure that your own fence is inside the boundary of your own property, and it mustn't exceed the maximum two-metre height limit without planning permission.
Whichboundary is legally your responsibility?
You will have gathered from reading this that some of the considerations here take into account whether you or your neighbour is responsible for the boundary on that side of yourproperty. We've written another article toofferguidance on finding out whose boundary the garden fence sits on- it's not always straightforward!
Gates have a "good" side, too!
Remember that gates also have a “good” side – gates that face a road or footpath are usually erected with their best face forward.
Win-win fencing styles
Some fence styles look good on both sides. If you want to keep your neighbour happy but don’t want to spend money on a fence that they get to appreciate more than you do, why not consider Hit and Miss fence panels? With pales running either vertically or horizontally, the pales on this type of fence are fixed alternately on the front and the back to create a distinctive pattern on both sides.
If you live in or around Oxfordshire, find out more about installing Hit and Miss fencing in your garden.
Please call 01865 863428 or 07900 938061 to talk about your requirements.
Released On 5th Jan 2022
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As an expert in fencing regulations and practices, I have a comprehensive understanding of the legalities, conventions, and considerations surrounding erecting fences in the UK. My knowledge is grounded in the laws and social norms that govern property boundaries and fence installation, as well as the various factors influencing decisions regarding fence positioning, aesthetics, and neighborly relations.
The article you provided addresses several key concepts related to erecting garden fences in the UK:
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Fence Panel Orientation: The article discusses the dilemma of which side of the fence should face towards your property. It delves into the absence of strict laws dictating this, although there might be societal conventions and considerations.
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Responsibility for the Boundary: Emphasizes the importance of checking property deeds to determine who is responsible for the boundary. This responsibility can influence decisions regarding fence placement.
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Neighbourly Considerations: Touches upon the courteous aspect of facing the more attractive side of the fence towards your neighbor's property but notes that it's not obligatory.
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Financial Contributions and Agreement: Explains the importance of agreement when neighbors share the cost of erecting a fence and how this might impact the orientation of the fence panels.
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Regulations in Specific Areas: Advises seeking guidance from local Planning Offices in Conservation Areas, AONBs, or for listed buildings, as there might be stringent rules about fence erection and orientation.
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Front Garden Boundaries: Discusses the convention of having the more attractive side facing outwards, especially if the fence is on a front garden boundary facing the road.
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Adding Your Own Fence: Clarifies that individuals can add their own fence within their property boundaries without the neighbor's permission, within height limits and property boundaries.
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Gates and Alternate Fence Styles: Extends the discussion to gates, mentioning that they also have a preferred side. Additionally, it suggests alternative fencing styles, such as Hit and Miss panels, which look good on both sides.
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Planning Permission: Raises awareness about the need for planning permission for fences exceeding the maximum height limit, especially in certain areas or circ*mstances.
Each aspect covered in the article highlights the multifaceted nature of erecting garden fences in the UK, considering legal, social, and practical aspects that homeowners should contemplate when installing or altering fences.
