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Fencing

Information about fencing and repairs.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

What am I responsible for?
  • You must provide and maintain any fencing in your front garden, unless it was part of one of our improvement schemes.
  • Damaged fencing that is beyond repair (caused by you, your household, your visitors or your pets) must be replaced.
  • Provide enough secure fencing to prevent your pet causing a nuisance.
  • Maintain your fence, even if we erected it.
  • Weatherproof your fence regularly to protect the wood and prolong its life.
  • We recommend painting your fence every two to three years.

If you might struggle to afford fencing removal or replacement costs, please let us know.

We'll work with you to find the right support and solutions to help keep you, your household and neighbours safe.

Please see more information below on what we will and won't do for fencing repairs.

What The Wrekin Housing Group is responsible for:
  • If you have a corner plot bordering a public area, we will provide a rear and side fence and any gates that you need to reach your garden and home. The fence will be 1 metre or 1.8 metres high, depending on where your property is.
  • We will provide a single 1.8 metre high fence panel between your property and your neighbour’s, attached to the back wall, to give you both some privacy.
  • We will erect a post-and-wire fence to mark the boundary rear gardens.

How do I know which fence I am responsible for?

To check whether the fence belongs to you or your neighbour, please contact us on 01952 217100.

What if I want to erect my own fence?

You can erect your own fence or replace the existing fence, as long as you get our written permission and underground plans will need to be checked. We will not unreasonably refuse permission, but you will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the fence.

Front boundary fencing should be no higher than 3ft or 1 metre and coloured brown, dark brown or green.

Here are some types of fencing we will approve:

  • Timber hit and miss close boarded/featheredge boarded (concrete post preferred)
  • Chain-link fencing
  • Steel bow top

Who is responsible for maintaining hedges and trees?

The maintenance of all hedges, bushes and trees within your boundary remain the responsibility of the tenant.

If tenants wish to remove their existing boundary hedging and replace it with a suitable alternative, Landlords Permission is required.

If you have any concerns about trees and hedges outside your boundry such as overhanging trees, neighbouring properties with overgrown gardens which are causing a nusiance or vermin, please contact us so we can advise and help find a suitable solution.

Fencing repairs - what we will do:

Please note the following information applies to fencing that is our responsibility.

Work carried out to your fencing to make it safe (for others in the surrounding areas or occupants) may still be liable to a recharge. If you'll struggle to afford any costs, please let us know so we can refer you to further support.

General Repairs & Safety

  • Make safe loose, leaning, or damaged fence panels.
  • Remove individual broken boards, posts, or rails where necessary if they are causing a health and safety hazard.
  • Remove or secure sharp, protruding, or hazardous materials.
  • Carry out temporary repairs to make a fence safe until full works can be arranged.

Boundary Definition

  • Install or repair boundary definition to identify property lines (typically using post and wire).
  • Refit or realign existing fence posts or markers to restore boundary layout.

Privacy & Screening

  • Fit or replace privacy panels or screening boards.

Public Rights of Way / Safety Work

  • Repair or replace fencing alongside public footpaths, bridleways, or rights of way.
  • Make fencing safe where it borders public access areas, ensuring no hazards to passers by.
  • Ensure fencing adjacent to public areas is secure and free of sharp edges or unstable posts.

Fencing repairs - what won't do*:

*Unless agreed with your Housing Team.

Major or Specialist Installations

  • No full garden refencing or large-scale fence replacement projects.
  • No installation of decorative or bespoke fence designs (e.g. ornate metal fencing, custom trelliswork).

Groundworks or Heavy Construction

  • No digging for new post lines beyond small repair holes.
  • No retaining walls, concrete plinths, or large foundation works.
  • No tree, hedge, or root removal to clear fence lines.

Specialist or Non-standard Materials

  • No work on metal, chain-link, or security mesh fencing unless for minor safety repair.
  • No repairs involving brick, block, or rendered wall fencing.
  • No painting, staining, or decorative finishes beyond basic preservation if required for repair.

Access or Ownership Issues

  • No work on fencing outside the property boundary or on neighbours’ land.
  • No work on fencing where access cannot be safely provided.
  • No gate installations unless directly related to the safety repair of an existing gate.

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