Finding your neighbour

Before you can talk to your neighbour about building, fixing or replacing a fence, you need to know who and where your neighbour is.

If the person who owns the property also lives there, you could approach them directly or write to them.

Sometimes the person that owns the property will not live there (for example it may be vacant or rented out to tenants). If this is the case, you will need to find the owner of the property so that you can talk to them about your fencing issue.

For more information, see Finding your neighbour.

How to talk to your neighbour

When you talk to your neighbour you may be able to come to a compromise or reach an agreement about the fencing work you want done. It is important to be polite and listen to what your neighbour has to say. This will help you to maintain a good relationship with your neighbour.

For tips on talking and negotiating with your neighbour, see How to talk to your neighbour.

Agreement in writing

If you and your neighbour have come to an agreement about the type of dividing fence you want to build, where the fence should go, and who should pay for what, you can put the details into a written agreement.

For more information, see Agreement in writing.

Enforcing an agreement

If you and your neighbour come to an agreement, and one of you breaks the agreement, it may be possible for the other neighbour to:

• claim the money they are owed in the Local Court
• go ahead and do the work that ​has been agreed to (if that work was not completed as agreed), and claim money owed in the Local Court.

For more information, see Enforcing an agreement.

For answers to commonly asked questions, see Frequently Asked Questions​.​