It depends on where the fence is:

• Fences that face a public road, open space, water source or rail line – We are responsible for these.
• Fencing/gates erected in originally designed open-plan gardens – You are responsible for these.
• Fences between your garden and your neighbour’s – You are responsible for these.
• Fences dividing two whg homes – You and your neighbour share responsibility. You’ll need to agree between yourselves on any repairs or replacements.
• Fences between a whg and privately owned property – You’ll need to speak with the private owner to agree who will maintain the fence.
• Side fences or gates separating your front and back garden – These are your responsibility.
• Fences we install as privacy panels (usually one close board or similar panel) – We maintain these panels to mark garden boundaries.

If the fence is your responsibility, you’ll need to repair or replace it. If you’re unsure who owns the fence, get in touch with us and we’ll help you find out. If we own the fence and it becomes damaged, we’ll assess it and carry out any necessary repairs. In some cases, we may replace a broken wall with fencing.

When you move into a whg home, we make sure that any fencing, gates and walls that we are responsible for are in an overall good condition and safe to use. As part of our lettable standard for empty properties, we will:

• Check and make safe any fencing, walls and gates that belong to whg
• Make sure garden boundaries are clear and properly marked
• Re-establish the boundary line between properties where it has become unclear – for example by installing low-level chestnut-style fencing where there is no existing structure
• Provide one privacy panel to help mark the boundary between gardens

After you move in, ongoing repairs to dividing fences between gardens are your responsibility, but we will continue to look after the boundary fencing we own next to roads, public footpaths, open spaces, water sources and rail lines.

• Lawns, hedges, trees and shrubs in your garden – You are responsible for maintaining these. 
• Communal lawns, hedges, trees and shrubbed areas – We’ll take care of these. 

If you have a boundary wall and it gets damaged, we’ll inspect it first. If needed, we may remove the wall and replace it with fencing.

• Manholes in your garden – If blocked or overflowing, your water supplier is responsible. 
• Gullies (small drains) within your garden – These are your responsibility to keep clear. 
• Manholes in communal areas – Your water supplier is responsible. 

• Paths leading from the pavement to your front and back doors – We maintain these. 
• Any other paths, patios, steps, sheds or driveways in your garden – These are your responsibility. 
• Communal paved areas and paths – We’ll look after these. 

We are responsible for maintaining any garages that are part of your home or in a block we own. If you lose your garage keys or want to change the locks, that’s your responsibility. 

All fencing and gates are checked and brought up to a good condition before you move in. You can request permission if you want to replace or renew the fencing to make it more secure by giving us a ring on 0300 555 6666.

When a home becomes empty and we’re preparing it for a new customer: 

• We will check all fences and gates and make sure they are in good condition. 
• We’ll re-mark and reinstate boundary lines if they have been altered. 
• Rear garden boundaries will be marked with a 3ft chestnut pale fencing or similar. 
• Where chestnut pale fencing already exists, we may repair or replace individual posts or panels where possible. 
• Existing secure fencing may be replaced if the garden borders a road, footpath, open space, water source or railway. 
• A gate will be provided at the rear of the property if appropriate.
• We’ll also let you know exactly which fences, gates, and garden features you’re responsible for when you view the property.

You should not install a fence or gate which is more than two metres in height at the rear of your home or more than one metre in height at the front of your home.  Please note: The same height restrictions apply to bushes and hedges.

Dog owners must keep their pets under control. If a fence is unsafe and this allows a dog to get into a neighbour’s garden, this becomes more than just a fencing issue.

• If a whg customer’s broken fence allows their dog into your garden, this can be treated as a tenancy breach. We may take enforcement or legal action if they refuse to fix it.
• If the neighbour is not a whg customer, we can signpost you to Environmental Health/the Community Protection Team or the police if the dog is dangerous.
• If the neighbour is a leaseholder/shared owner, we can remind them of their responsibility to keep their dog secure as this is likely a breach of lease.

 

Responsibility for fences is usually set out in property deeds. If the deeds say whg is responsible, then you would take on that responsibility. If the neighbour owns their home and it’s their responsibility, we’d expect them to take care of it.

No. You are responsible for ensuring that your fencing is adequate to prevent your pets escaping your garden. This includes maintaining a boundary that is secure and suitable for your specific needs, which may go beyond the standard fencing provided by us.

Our new repairs policy came into force on 28 January 2026. We are currently working through fencing repairs that were reported to us before this new policy came into place.

Yes. In May 2025, we discussed the updated repairs policy with our Repairs and Maintenance Working Group, which is made up of whg customers.

They:

• Reviewed the draft fencing guide to check it was clear and easy to understand

• Gave feedback on the wording and layout, including from a customer whose first language isn’t English

• Suggested that Community Housing Officers explain fencing responsibilities when new customers move in

• Recommended using simple boundary maps so it’s easier to see which fences whg looks after and which belong to customers

We used this feedback to improve the final guide and the way we explain it. We’ll continue to listen to customer feedback and review the guide in future if we need to make further improvements.

• If your neighbour is a whg customer and refuses to repair their fence that is causing you nuisance this is a tenancy breach. We may take enforcement action to compel them to repair the fence.
• If your neighbour is a whg customer and damages a fence you own, this may be a tenancy breach and could even count as criminal damage if it was intentional. You may wish to report it to the police. Where reasonable, our Community Housing Officer can help mediate.
• If your neighbour is not a whg customer, you’ll need to deal with them directly. If they’re a leaseholder/shared owner, we can remind them of their lease obligations. If the damage was deliberate, we recommend reporting it to the police or seeking legal advice.

If the fence is between your home and a commercial property (for example a shop, pub or other business), it will usually be treated in the same way as any other fences in our repairs guide:

• whg will not repair or replace this type of dividing fence.
• Responsibility for the fence normally sits with the owners/tenants of the two properties.

We know it can sometimes be hard to know who to speak to about a business property. If you’re unsure who to contact, we can help you find the right contact details for the commercial owner so you can discuss the fence and agree who is responsible for any repair or replacement. If you’re worried about safety, or there is anti-social behaviour linked to the boundary, please get in touch so we can talk through the best way forward.