Garden walls and boundaries

The short answer

In Scotland, responsibility for a boundary depends on the title deeds. Many boundaries are mutual, meaning both owners share the cost of maintenance. Retaining walls, high hedges and protected trees each have their own rules, and the High Hedges (Scotland) Act gives a route where a neighbour's hedge blocks light.

What the work involves

Repairing or rebuilding walls and fences, dealing with leaning retaining walls, hedge and tree work, and checking title deeds to establish who owns and maintains each boundary.

Rules and consents in Scotland

Walls and fences above certain heights, and any wall adjoining a road, can need planning permission. Trees may be covered by a Tree Preservation Order or by conservation-area protection, which requires notice to the council before work. The High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 provides a formal application route for problem hedges.

What commonly goes wrong

Cutting back a neighbour's protected tree or a conservation-area tree without giving the council notice, which is an offence.

What it usually costs

Indicative ranges only, to help you judge a quote. They are not an estimate for your property — only the business doing the work can give you that.

• Fence replacement is priced per metre and by fence type.
• Rebuilding a stone boundary wall costs considerably more than fencing and may need a mason.
• Retaining walls need engineering input where they hold back ground, which adds professional fees.
• Tree work costs depend on size, access and whether the tree is protected.

What to do, in order

1. 1Check the title deeds to establish ownership and any mutual maintenance obligation.
2. 2Talk to the neighbour before instructing work on a shared boundary.
3. 3Check for Tree Preservation Orders and conservation-area status before any tree work.
4. 4Get an engineer's view on any retaining wall showing movement.
5. 5Agree cost shares in writing for mutual boundaries.
6. 6Keep photographs and invoices for future sale enquiries.

Local detail for the Lothians

• Edinburgh conservation areas protect all trees above a certain size, so notice to the council is required before pruning or felling.
• Traditional stone boundary walls are common in Lothians villages and often need a mason rather than a general builder.
• Tenement back greens are usually common property, so boundary and drying-green maintenance is shared.
• Sloping sites around Edinburgh frequently have old retaining walls that were built without modern drainage behind them.

When you need a professional

A fencing contractor or stonemason for the work, a structural engineer for retaining walls, a solicitor for title and boundary disputes, and an arboriculturist for protected trees.

Common questions

Who owns the boundary fence in Scotland?

It depends on the title deeds. Many boundaries are mutual, with shared maintenance responsibility, rather than belonging to one side.

Do I need permission for a garden wall?

Height limits apply, and walls adjoining a road or in a conservation area are more likely to need permission.

Related pages

• Driveways, paths and drainage

  Surface water, permeable paving and keeping ground levels below the damp line.

• Roof repairs

  Slipped slates, failed flashings and leaks on Scottish pitched and flat roofs.

• Stonework and repointing

  Sandstone indenting, lime repointing and why cement mortar damages period walls.