I'm a privacy fence expert

AN EXPERT has revealed how to know your garden rights to avoid frosty neighbour rows.

Fence professionals have explained the rules you need to know to avoid falling into neighbourly disputes.

Pros at Jacksons Fencing have come up with handy guidelines to settle any debates over who owns which fence.

They told the Express: “The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry.

“In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep.”

Often households can't get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn't panic.

Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are.

They added: “The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the ‘good’ side.

“This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden.

“This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fence side.”

Often walls and fences are built on the land of the boundary's owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit.

While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it's not foolproof - so you can't be certain.

It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines.

There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it's completely up to whoever owns the fence.

The fencing pros suggested: “It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no ‘bad’ side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.”

If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside

But if it's installed on the outside, it can provide an “easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden”.

Other experts from Which? revealed a useful guide to avoid disputes when decorating your fence.

Legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it.

But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself - since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage.