subject: Use Inspections to Ensure Your Fences are Legal [print this page] Use Inspections to Ensure Your Fences are Legal
Sure, the fences on a property may look great - but they may not be up to code and may violate local ordinances. If you buy a home whose fences encroach on a neighbour's property or cause other problems, you could end up with a huge, unexpected expense. Learn more below.Take Care when Installing New Fences -Any time you build a new fence, you need to think about the future. Down the road, that fence could pose a problem for you when it's time to sell. The last thing you need is for building inspections to reveal that your fence is not on the true boundary line. Therefore, you should always have a survey conducted whenever you're unsure about where that boundary line is.Since you need to be absolutely sure about where a boundary line is, it pays to have a survey conducted. By giving your neighbour notice of the planned survey, you can have them pay for half of the cost. However, if your neighbour believes that he knows where the boundary line is, he is allowed to put down stakes. If the survey concurs with his beliefs, he won't have to share the cost of the survey. On the other hand, if the survey shows that he is wrong, he will have to pay for half the price.Obey Local Ordinances -Your local council has many rules and regulations concerning fences. Prior to building a new fence, then, it's always smart to familiarise yourself with those rules. At times you may wish to obtain an approval from the council prior to erecting the fences so that you don't have to take it down in the future. If it is determined that your fence breaches the council codes, you may be required to remove the fence or to make the necessary changes. You can avoid that headache by double-checking that your fence adheres to local regulations.Keep the Peace -Nobody wants a neighbour's fence or other structure to encroach on their property. As no one ever wants to upset their neighbours, you should always be conscious about where and how your new fences will be placed. After all, you could end up living next door to them for many years to come. A huge part of being a considerate neighbour is making sure that you keep one another's preferences in mind. Ideally, you should check with your neighbour before selecting a fence to make sure that they approve. In addition to being on the boundary line and adhering to local laws, it's a smart move to make.
