It’s been sixty years since the Dividing Fences Act 1953 (Qld) made it clear, once and for all, that a property owner was entitled to have a fence between him and his neighbour, and that he was entitled to have his neighbour pay for half. The Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 has carried on in much the same vein, but still people seem to be missing one major point – notice must be given in advance. If not, reimbursement is merely optional.

Granted its poor form to simply tell one’s neighbour to shove their receipts for timber and nails, or the invoice from the local fencing guy. Most likely it will set up years of poor neighbourly relations. But in strict legal terms, if a neighbour doesn’t serve a Notice to Contribute to Fencing Work and get agreement from the neighbour as to the type, position and cost of the fence, no amount will be recoverable from the neighbour to pay for ‘their half’. In the absence of agreement a neighbour can take the matter to QCAT for a decision.