One letter symbol every gardener must check before painting their fence

With many of us sprucing up our gardens this summer, Brits need to be careful to check for one detail before making changes to their garden fences.

Now that the sun is in full blast, it’s easier to see all the parts of our gardens that need patching up. One common household issue is dealing with a fence that has become damaged, patchy in appearance, or covered in the unsightly elements from winter. This includes dealing with faded or scratched paint.

Of course, the easiest way to fix this is to give your fence a fresh coat. But before you whip out the paint bucket, you need to be careful that you actually own the fence.

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As it turns out, you may not have full ownership over your fence. In many cases, fence ownership is actually shared between neighbours.

It’s important to know whether you own your fence before making any changes. Generally speaking, if you own your fence you are free to make any alterations you prefer.

However, if the fence falls on the boundary line or completely on your neighbour's property, you need to seek their permission before even thinking about getting the paint brushes out – or making any repairs.

If you’re not sure whether you own your fence, garden-owners need to find out. Fortunately, there is an easy way to check.

Jimmy Englezos, senior brand manager from Ronseal recommends checking the property deed to settle any uncertainty over the boundary.

As reported by Peter Borough Matters, he advised: “If you’re unsure, a good place to start is checking the deeds you received when you bought the property - you’ll often see a ‘T’ indicating which fence side is your responsibility to maintain.”

If you discover that the land registry states that you are the sole owner of the fence, then Jimmy advises that you’re free to make any alterations you like, including painting it.

Although, he added: “If your property is listed or on designated land, check with your local authorities first in case any restrictions apply.”

If you find that your neighbour owns the fence, then it’s important to discuss any changes you want to make with them and come to a mutual agreement. Otherwise it may result in legal action, such as fines.

If you can’t come to an agreement with your neighbour, you can always bring in a mediator. A mediator is a neutral third party who may be able to help two sides come to an agreement.