which fence is mine?
Our rowhouse has (if facing toward the backyard from the house) one nice fence on the left, and one listing chain link rusted fence on the right. Is there any rule as to whether one or the other of these my responsibility, and which one? The surveyor report does not say.
Our rowhouse has (if facing toward the backyard from the house) one nice fence on the left, and one listing chain link rusted fence on the right. Is there any rule as to whether one or the other of these my responsibility, and which one? The surveyor report does not say.
I don’t think anyone answered your original question. When I lived in Carroll Gardens the old-timers told me the left fence as you look out at the garden from the house is “your” fence.
When you install a fence it is customary good manners to keep the posts on your side. A style called a “good neighbor” fence hangs the panels between the posts so the fence looks the same from both sides.
Regardless of who pays for the fence, the neighborly thing to do is to install a fence that looks good on both sides. More expensive, but definitely nicer looking than than stockade–even on the “good” side.
I don’t know that the fence better-face-out is the legal determining factor of who owns the fence. In fact, there may be more than one factor…if the fence support posts are embedded in the ground inside your property line, the fence is yours (as mine are); if the posts are embedded inside your neighbor’s property line, the fence is theirs. If the posts are ON the property line, then this could be considered a joint ownership, and you should discuss with your neighbor. Many years ago a neighbor of ours wanted to replace a rotting stockade fence at the far end of their yard, and the actual fence was determined to be ON their/our property line. We discussed together and agreed amicably to go halvsies on the replacement fence. They put the fence posts facing our yard, but we didn’t mind, we’ve got plantings back there anyway so the visible posts were insignificant to us (and I could have used them to install hanging plants).
electricgreek1 is right. When re-doing fencework, you are supposed to have the better side face your neighbors. However, people don’t always follow that rule in Brooklyn, I often see new fences installed with the poles facing the neighbors. I guess many people don’t know what is appropriate so these things often don’t get reported.
WRONG ,, if the post are on your property then the fence belongs to you .
if the post are on the neighbors side then the fence belongs to the neighbor .
i live in a 1 family home in bayside queens . i’m totally detached so i know the fence rule
There is no rule of thumb — usually the nice side of the fense will face the owners side if that helps.