A drama over the painting of a garden fence has split opinion on social media.
Video clips shared on TikTok show the back side of a fence splattered with white paint that’s seeped through from the DIY effort.
The video was posted onto video sharing app TikTok by the @ItsMamNotMum account.
The caption reads “Next door painted their fence…But look at the state of ours! Would you say something!?”
The fence was left "looking like bird poo"
TikTok
The video has been viewed more than 90,000 times and there are over 500 comments.
However, social media were quick to point out that it was important to establish the ownership of the fence before making the next move.
One of the commenters: “Looks like their fence, they paid for it and installed it, they can paint it anyway they want I’m afraid.”
“I’ll have to look and see who owns it then,” came the original poster’s reply.
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The video of the fence split opinion on social media
TikTok
Others argued that causing drama wasn’t the answer - as having a harmonious relationship with your neighbours should take precedence.
One said: “I, personally, would just ask them what paint they used so that I could match it. Life too short for fighting about things like this.”
“I would just paint your side to match, best to just keep the peace,” said another.
In a later video the original poster said that she still didn’t know who owned the fence but that she needed to take action because the paint “looked like bird poo.”
According to Hedges Law solicitor Matthew Cotton, actual ownership of a fence is “one of the most common questions in neighbour disputes”
He said: “It’s very important to remember that there is a difference between ownership of the fence (i.e., who it belongs to), and the obligation to maintain it (i.e., who must repair or replace it).
“The answer will often be found within the title deeds to the properties involved.”
However, he advised, it is also worth bearing in mind that the fence may not be in the same position as the legal boundary - which is “another issue entirely”.