Boundary Wall Responsibility

[Traveller47]

I am not sure this is the best place for this question but it seems the best I can do.
My neighbour’s detached garage backs onto the boundary between the our two properties and hence forms a boundary wall. It was originally built this way. The problem is that the wall is never maintained because my neighbour never sees it and it consequently gets forgotten. However, the garage is clearly part of my neighbour’s property. Several previous owners of the property have also neglected the (white rough-cast) wall, which looks dirty and eventually goes grey and green because it gets little direct sun.

I have talked to the current and previous owners of the property and all have said they will clean or repaint it - but then it usually gets forgotten again. I don’ want to fall out with anyone and recognise the importance of reasonable discussion and agreement, but I am still not entirely sure who is responsible for maintaining the wall. It would appear odd should responsibility fall on me because the garage is not part of my property, so should the neighbour maintain it?

[PallasAthena]

I doubt the neighbour has an obligation to keep it nice and clean for you to look at. Not unless theres anything in the deeds about it. I assume it is structurally sound and not in need of repair and not at risk of damaging your property, it is just its aesthetic appearance you don't like?

[Traveller47]

Thanks for your comment. Yes, it is structurally sound and not damaged or a safety hazard. It is just the appearance. Both houses are otherwise smart and well maintained - except the one wall that no one seems to care about.

If the neighbour has no responsibility to keep it clean, does it follow that I can clean or paint it should I so decide? Or is it just “no man’s land”?

[PallasAthena]

As your neighbour owns the wall (part of their garage) you ought to ask their permission before slapping a coat of whitewash on it, or whatever you do to it. Although it is on the boundary it is actually, from you say, just their side of it and isn't 'no man's land', it's their land.

Although if they can't see it from their property I don't suppose they'd know what you were doing if it was purely cosmetic!

But if you get on well with them I doubt it would be a problem. Unless you ask them to pay for it when you'll just end up in the same loop of them saying they'll do and then they don't. From what you describe it doesn't sound like it would be an expensive or difficult job and could be done without needing scafolding or specialist equipment.

[Traveller47]

Thanks for all your comments.