What are my rights and responsibilities as a property owner regarding boundary fences?

Victorian Fences Act

The Victorian Fences Act contains rules about who pays for a boundary fence (otherwise known as a ‘dividing fence’), the type of boundary fence to be built, notices that neighbours need to give one another and how to resolve disputes that come up when discussing fencing works with your neighbour.
A boundary fence is a fence built to separate two pieces of adjoining land. It may or may not be located on the common boundary between the pieces of land as this depends on what is agreed between neighbours. The boundary fence might be located off the common boundary if, for example, there is an obstruction or waterway on the common boundary.
A boundary fence does not include a retaining wall or any wall that is part of a house, garage or other building (although sometimes these types of walls may mean that a boundary fence is not needed, or is not needed for part of the boundary).

What should I do if I want to build a new boundary fence or think my boundary fence needs repairing?

Talk to your neighbour informally first about the boundary fence between your properties. If you both agree that work needs to be done, then you might not need to follow the processes in the Fences Act. You might be able to agree on the type of fence, the contractor that you will employ, how the costs of the fencing works will be paid and the placement of the boundary fence. If you are able to come to an agreement like this with your neighbour, then the fencing works can go ahead as agreed.
However, you cannot go ahead and build a boundary fence or do repairs on a boundary fence unless you either have your neighbour’s agreement or you follow the processes in the Fences Act. If you do not have your neighbour’s agreement, then before you arrange for any work to be done, you need to give your neighbour a notice that contains information about the work you are proposing (fencing notice).

What is a fencing notice?

A fencing notice is a formal document that sets out a proposal for the construction or repair of a boundary fence or other works that needs to be done. The regulations under the Fences Act include a pro forma notice which you can use which will cover all the necessary details for your neighbour. A link to this notice can be downloaded here. (Includes Urgent Fence Notice)

The fencing notice includes proposals about:

the line on which the works should be carried out;
the type of works to be carried out;
the person to be engaged to undertake the works;
an estimate of the cost; and
contribution proportions.

You can hand the fencing notice to your neighbour personally or send it by registered post in order to provide proof of receipt via signature on delivery.

Do I have to use a fencing notice?

No, if you and your neighbour have agreed to the fencing works and any other works that need to be done, then a fencing notice is not required. You might agree about the works by signing a quote provided by a fencing contractor, for example. If you agree in this way, then you do not need a fencing notice.
Enforcement of agreements outside of the Fences Act — for example, if you did not give a fencing notice and reached a verbal agreement with your neighbour — would be subject to contract law and is not dealt with by the Fences Act.

What if my neighbour ignores my fencing notice?

If you have given a fencing notice to the person who owns the property next door, but 30 days have passed and they have not responded to the notice, you can proceed with the fencing works without their agreement and later recover their contribution by bringing an action in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.

What if I cannot find the person who owns the property next door?

If you do not have an agreement with your neighbour about work that needs to be done for a boundary fence, you need to give your neighbour a fencing notice. To do this, you need to be able to find the person who owns the property next door.
To locate them, you might need to make reasonable inquiries, including asking any tenant of the property next door about the owner’s whereabouts and asking the local council. After making reasonable inquiries, if you still cannot find the owner of the property next door, you may go ahead with the fencing works. But it is important to know that if you want the owner of the property next door to contribute financially to the fencing works, and you have done the works without giving them a fencing notice or getting their agreement, then you will need a Magistrates’ Court order.

Who pays for a boundary fence?

Generally, owners of adjoining land must contribute in equal shares to a boundary fence. The standard of fence that you must contribute to is a ‘sufficient boundary fence’, which will depend on the circumstances.
If you or your neighbour want a boundary fence that is of a higher standard than a sufficient boundary fence — like a higher fence or one made of more expensive materials — the person who wants this pays the difference in cost between a sufficient boundary fence and the higher standard. Alternatively, if you agree, you can split the cost of the higher standard fence.

What standard of fence do I have to pay for?

A number of factors are taken into account when determining what a sufficient boundary fence is for your properties — for example, the existing boundary fence (if any), the purposes for which you and your neighbour use or intend to use the land, reasonable privacy concerns and the types of fences used in your local area. For some residential properties, a sufficient boundary fence might be a 1.8 metre paling fence. For some rural properties, a sufficient boundary fence might be a wire and post fence.
Also, contributions cover more than just building or repairing the boundary fence. Neighbours are required to contribute in equal proportions to fencing works, and any other associated works to allow the fencing works to take place (called ‘subsidiary works’ in the Fences Act), required for a sufficient boundary fence. Depending on the circumstances, this may include clearing the land, removing the existing boundary fence, having the land surveyed and using temporary barriers.

What if there is a tenant renting my property? Do they have to pay anything?

Most residential or retail tenants do not have to contribute to fencing works, but some other types of tenants (like commercial tenants) may be required to contribute.
If your tenant falls into one of the categories that is covered by the Fences Act and has a term of five or more years still remaining on their lease, they may be required to contribute to the boundary fence. If they have between five and ten years remaining on their lease, they must pay half of your share. If they have more than ten years remaining on their lease, they must pay your full share.
However, a long-term tenant is only liable to pay if you give them particular notices that are required under the Fences Act. The tenant will then be able to participate in negotiations with you and your neighbour and their agreement to the works is required.

If my property is next to a public park or government owned land, does the government have to contribute to the fencing works?

The amendments to the Fences Act have not changed the position that particular types of Crown land are exempted from contributions under the Fences Act. The government may choose to contribute in some circumstances, but this is not required by the Fences Act.
The Fences Act also provides that where a municipal council or other body or person owns or manages land for the purposes of a public park or reserve, then they are not considered to be an ‘owner’ under the Fences Act and so do not have to contribute to fencing works for a boundary fence between that land and privately owned land.

What should I do if the fence is damaged and needs to be fixed urgently?

Where a boundary fence is damaged or destroyed and needs to be replaced or repaired urgently, and it is impracticable to give your neighbour a fencing notice, you can undertake the fencing works without giving notice and without otherwise obtaining your neighbour’s agreement (although it would still be advisable to talk to them about what you are going to do).

Whether or not fencing works need to be carried out urgently will depend on the circumstances — for example, the damage might be caused by fire or flood or animals might be escaping.

If you undertake urgent fencing works and then want your neighbour to contribute to the cost, you will need to give them an urgent fencing notice. This notice includes things like:

the type of fencing work that was done; and
the cost and the reason for the urgency.

It gives your neighbour an opportunity to have a say. Regulations under the Fences Act contain a pro forma urgent fencing notice.

What if my neighbour responds to my fencing notice and does not agree to the works?

If the owner next door does not agree to the proposal in your fencing notice, you cannot proceed. You must negotiate an agreement or wait until the 30 days expires and then initiate an action in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. The Magistrates’ Court has the power to determine whether works are needed or not and, if so, what sort of fence should be built, the time within which the works should be carried out, how much each neighbour should contribute, and other matters. You can still negotiate or mediate at any point after the 30 days has expired. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria may be able to assist with mediation.
Enforcement of agreements outside of the Fences Act — for example, if you did not give a fencing notice and reached a verbal agreement with your neighbour — would be subject to contract law and is not dealt with by the Fences Act.
To avoid the cost and stress of going to court, the Victorian Government has a free dispute resolution service called the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria. The centre offers neighbours who are in dispute an opportunity to meet together in mediation and, with the assistance of mediators, reach an agreement that works for everyone. The service is free, informal and confidential.
You can contact the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria for advice on 1300 372 888 or by visiting their website.

What if my neighbour gives me a fencing notice, but I do not agree with their proposal?

You should talk to your neighbour and explain which parts of the proposal you do not agree with. It may be possible to negotiate an agreement. If you need assistance with your discussions, the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria may be able to help. The fencing notice has a section for you to complete if you would like to state in writing the parts of the proposal that you disagree with and suggest alternatives.
The process is the same as if you give a fencing notice and your neighbour disagrees: if you cannot reach an agreement after 30 days, either of you may proceed with an action in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. The Magistrates’ Court has the power to determine whether works are needed or not and, if so, what sort of fence should be built, the time within which the works should be carried out, how much each neighbour should contribute, and other matters. You can still negotiate or mediate at any point after the 30 days have expired.

What happens if my neighbour and I disagree about the location of the common boundary?

If there is a boundary dispute, the 30-day period after which you can commence court action is suspended until the location of the common boundary is agreed or defined by a licensed surveyor.
If you and your neighbour do not agree about the location of the common boundary, either of you may give a boundary survey notice. This can be given at the same time as, or after, a fencing notice is given. It sets out your intention to have the common boundary defined by a licensed surveyor unless its location can be agreed.
The owner who receives the boundary survey notice can agree to the location of the common boundary, express their own view about the location of the common boundary, or engage a licensed surveyor to define the common boundary. If, after 30 days, the location of the common boundary has not been agreed or defined by a licensed surveyor, the owner who gave the boundary survey notice may engage a licensed surveyor.
If you engage a licensed surveyor, you are responsible for telling your neighbour what the outcome was. In most circumstances, both owners must contribute to the costs of the survey.

Which owner gets to have the flat side of the fence facing into their property?

You and your neighbour can agree for the rails and framing of the fence to face into either of your properties, but the Fences Act contains some rules that apply if you cannot agree. These rules apply to some types of fences and not others, as not all types of fences have rails and framing.
If the boundary fence is between residential land and commercial land, then the rails and framing should face into the residential land. If the boundary fence is between residential or commercial land, and land over which the public has a right of access, then the rails and framing should face into the residential or commercial land.
If these rules do not apply (for example, if the boundary fence is between two residential properties), the rails and framing should go on the same side as the existing boundary fence if there is one. If there is no existing boundary fence, the rails and framing should go on the side least subject to weathering, which will depend on the circumstances. If necessary, a fencing contractor may be able to help you work out which side is the least subject to weathering (but usually the rails and framing will just go on the same side as the existing boundary fence).

What rights do I have if someone is damaging my boundary fence?

If an owner of land, or someone who has entered their land with the owner’s express or implied consent (like a tenant or visitor), deliberately or negligently damages a boundary fence, the owner must pay for any repairs to the boundary fence. However, this does not prevent the owner from recovering payment from the person who caused the damage. For example, if a tenant caused the damage, then this would most likely be a breach of the lease agreement.
You can also apply to the Magistrates’ Court for an order that any party cease an activity or discontinue conduct that is unreasonably damaging, or may unreasonably damage, a boundary fence.

What if my neighbour does not do what they agreed to do?

If you and your neighbour used the processes in the Fences Act and reached agreement on the basis of a fencing notice, there are provisions under the Fences Act to enforce that agreement. If your neighbour does not do what they said they would do, either within the time specified in the agreement or within three months of making the agreement, you can carry out the fencing works that are the subject of the agreement and/or recover the money from your neighbour that they agreed to pay.
Also, if the Magistrates’ Court has made an order about your fencing works and your neighbour does not do what they were ordered to do, either within the time specified in the order or within 3 months of the order being made, you can carry out the fencing works that were the subject of the order or recover money that your neighbour was ordered to pay.
Enforcement of agreements outside of the Fences Act — for example, if you did not give a fencing notice and reached a verbal agreement with your neighbour — would be subject to contract law and is not dealt with by the Fences Act.

More information from Disputes Victoria can be found here.

*This information was correct at time of Publication