We often pigeonhole DIY garden projects for the summer months, when the evenings are long, we have a little more energy, and everything dries quicker.
But before you think about giving a tired-looking old fence a new lick of paint, bear in mind that doing so might land you in trouble with your neighbours. Fence ownership isn't always straightforward, and painting a fence without your neighbour's permission could lead to some unfriendly disputes.
Last year, a furious fence-painting debate broke out on TikTok when a neighbour returned home to find blue paint dribbling down her side of the fence, speckling her freshly painted shed. The neighbour, Chloe, shared the incident via a viral TikTok, showing exactly how distressing it can be when a painting session comes as a surprise.
'Just because you can reach the fence from your side of the garden does not necessarily mean you are free to paint it. If the fence belongs to your neighbour, the safest course is to seek their consent before making any changes to its appearance,' Laurie Horwood, partner at Farrer & Co, tells House Beautiful.
Before painting your neighbour's fence, you'll first need to establish who owns it by checking the property's title deeds. If your neighbour owns the fence and you paint it without their consent, you could be liable for the cost of removing the paint and restoring it to its original condition.
'The legal risks are often less significant than the practical one of damaging a neighbourly relationship,' Laurie continues. 'So from an etiquette perspective, a polite conversation before starting the painting would be sensible.'
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If you want to give your fence a new lease of life or try a new shade in the garden, these are the key rules to follow to ensure you don't end up with any issues later down the line.
Check who owns the fence before painting
To work out who owns the fence, you'll need to do some research – it's never safe to assume you can paint the side facing your garden without checking first. In most cases, one neighbour owns the whole structure.
To check who owns the fence, you'll need to refer to the Title Plan or Land Registry. A 'T' mark indicates ownership, while an 'H' mark means the fence is shared and both parties have rights to and are responsible for the fence. In both cases, it's best to check in with your neighbour before making any painting plans.
Ask for permission, preferably in writing
As with any house or garden issue that could potentially lead to a disagreement, it's always best to have written confirmation to refer to any agreed terms, so each party is clear on the rules.
As well as getting written permission to carry out a DIY job, it's important to be specific and confirm with your neighbour the exact colour, finish and timeframe of the work in question – and make sure this is all included in the document. A garish colour might just be the thing that tips a neighbour over the edge.
Be wary of trespassing
If you do have the go-ahead to paint the fence, be wary of encroaching on your neighbour's space and land, as this could be considered trespassing. Leaning over the fence while carrying out the job, or putting a ladder on their property, is also classed as trespassing, while dripping or bleeding paint on their side of the fence counts as damaging their property.
If your neighbour says 'no'...
Of course, if your neighbour says no, you need to respect their decision. But there are some clever ways you can disguise the fence if you're unhappy with how it looks on your side.
Try planting a fast-growing hedge like Leylandii, Cherry Laurel, and Privet just inside your boundary line, or install a free-standing trellis with pretty climbers like jasmine, honeysuckle, clematis, or vibrant climbing roses.
