As the weather gets warmer, many people will be looking to spruce up their gardens – but homeowners have been warned they could face fines for putting fairy lights on their fence
Summer has been ideal time of year to take advantage of your garden and soak up the sun.
The warmer months bring a burst of colour as flowers bloom in abundance, and the extended daylight hours allow for leisurely evenings spent outdoors. It’s also an opportune time to tackle some gardening tasks, such as giving your fence a fresh coat of paint or adding decorative touches like fairy lights to create a cosy atmosphere.
However, homeowners should be mindful that something as simple as stringing fairy lights along your fence could potentially cause a rift with your neighbours. If you’re the owner of the fence – meaning it’s situated on your side of the property boundary – you’re generally free to adorn it as you wish, including hanging fairy lights.
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However, if these decorations become a nuisance due to their excessive brightness or flashing, or pose a safety hazard, they could lead to complaints from your neighbours.
Mark Woloshak, head of litigation at Howells Solicitors, explains that neighbours don’t inherently have the right to demand the removal of decorations like fairy lights from your garden fence. However, if the disagreement isn’t resolved, it could escalate into a civil dispute, reports the Express.
He said: “Disagreements don’t always stem from fence placement or repairs. Sometimes, they arise from how a fence is used or decorated. 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.”
Howells Solicitors have witnessed a consistent increase in matters concerning property boundaries and neighbourly rows, with numerous disputes arising from unclear ownership or upkeep duties.
The legal practice is now urging householders to understand their rights before conflict intensifies. Mr Woloshak 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.
“Ownership is usually outlined in title deeds, often with a ‘T’ mark indicating responsibility. If the ‘T’ appears on your side of the boundary, you’re typically responsible for maintaining that 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.”