Fallen out with your neighbour over a fence, hedge or driveway? Here’s what to do next
Boundary disputes between neighbours are on the rise, according to a new survey.
Recent search by a regional law firm has revealed:
- Around 6.2 million Brits have been in a boundary dispute with a neighbour in the last year alone.
- Nearly half (47%) of all disputes are about fencing with rows over driveway access making up 31%, encroachment 31% and hedge disputes 29%.
- Although the average initial cost of starting a legal boundary dispute for British homeowners is around £750, one in ten admitted to spending over £2,000 and in many cases, when litigation was involved, this rose significantly higher.
In one recent case, an elderly Norfolk couple spent five years and their life savings unsuccessfully challenging a fence erected on a shared driveway by their neighbour.
There is no doubt that falling out with your neighbour is not only stressful and upsetting but potentially very expensive too.
That’s why contacting a specialist disputes solicitor like Wards at the earliest opportunity, can save you stress and money by resolving things before they escalate and end up in the courtroom.
How do you prevent a boundary dispute from escalating?
Judges involved in this type of dispute have long been calling for warring neighbours to try to resolve their problems through mediation rather than battling it out at vast expense in the courts.
Coming to an agreement is by far the least stressful and most economical way forward. Any agreement reached should be recorded as a deed and registered with HM Land Registry with a plan attached showing the agreed boundary, preferably drawn up by a surveyor.
Of course, this isn’t always possible and sadly there are countless examples of neighbours who have fallen out over a tree, a hedge, a blocked drain or a new fence and ended up, often against all advice, going to court.
Get in touch
Wards Solicitors wins high praise in the 2025 edition of the independent Legal 500 guide of outstanding legal professionals for its exceptional professional service standards and high levels of technical expertise.
As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we are also proud to be Bristol Law Society’s Regional Law firm of the Year.
For specialist help and advice about neighbour, boundary and building disputes, please contact James Murray who is highly experienced in this area of the law and has dealt with a wide range of issues including the position and use of boundaries, damage caused by tree roots, infringing rights of way and rights of light, trespass and harassment.
- Email James: James.murray@wards.uk.com
- Call James: 0117 929 2811