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A lawyer has revealed how innocently painting a garden fence can land you in trouble with your neighbour. Fences are often a cause for disputes between neighbours, from building boundaries too high to allowing bushes and trees to hang over into the next property. Additionally, painting and decorating your fence could lead to trouble if you don't have all of the information you need before you start.

Fences normally divide gardens, with yours on one side and your neighbour's on the other side. Many would assume that your side of the fence is yours to play with - so you could decorate it, paint it and alter it all you want, as long as it doesn't affect the other side. However, that is not always the case. One lawyer has explained what you need to know before deciding to paint the side of the fence that faces your garden to avoid ending up in trouble with your neighbour.

Mark Woloshak, Head of Litigation at Howells Solicitors, revealed that he has seen a stark rise in cases involving property boundaries and neighbourly disagreements, largely down to a lack of knowledge about boundary ownership and responsibility.

He explained: "Boundary fences mark the dividing line between two separate properties. They can be a physical structure, such as a wooden or metal fence, or they may be a legal boundary identified on title deeds or a land registry plan. While many fences follow the legal boundary, this is not always the case, and that's where problems often begin."

He explains that ownership is usually outlined in title deeds. You will often find a 'T' mark indicating responsibility. If that 'T' appears on your side of the boundary, you're responsible for the maintenance of the fence.

"In some cases, ownership can be shared or unclear, particularly with older properties, and resolving the matter may require a land registry check or even legal advice," Mark said. When things are unclear, that's when it's hard to know what your rights are when it comes to painting the fence.

Mark continued: "Fairy lights, hanging planters, or even paint colour choices can cause friction. If you own the fence, or have the express permission of the owner, you're generally entitled to decorate it, but be mindful - if the decoration causes a nuisance, such as excessive brightness or flashing into a neighbour's window, it can spark complaints and lead to disputes.

"If the fence is yours, a neighbour can request changes, but they don't automatically have the right to demand removal unless the addition is causing a nuisance or safety concern. In such cases, the matter could escalate to a civil dispute, which is best avoided through early communication and compromise.

"Neighbour disputes are not just stressful; they can be expensive. Many issues can be avoided simply by talking things through before making changes, checking your deeds, and seeking legal clarity where needed."