1.6 million Londoners could currently be in a dispute with their neighbour, study reveals

Despite the age-old saying to “Love thy neighbour,” research uncovered by Higgs LLP suggests that a growing number of London’s homeowners are engaged in bitter boundary disputes.

With 258,177 boundary agreements filed through HM Land Registry between 2019 and 2024 [1], and 56% of Higgs LLP’s property-related enquiries stemming from boundary issues, the law firm has launched its latest campaign: Great British Boundary Battles.

In a survey conducted by Higgs LLP, 500 British homeowners who had experienced boundary disputes shared their insights, shedding light on the growing tensions over property boundaries across the country.

1,692,000 Londoners could currently be in a dispute with their neighbour

The survey revealed that London tops the list for boundary disputes, with 19% of participants reporting property disagreements. When analysed per capita and in terms of the population, Higgs LLP has estimated that 1,692,000 Londoners could currently be in a dispute with their neighbour—ranging from minor squabbles over hedge trimming to full-blown neighbourhood conflicts.

Region
Percentage of Survey Participants
Estimated Number of Participants (Per Capita)
London
18.80%
1,692,000
South East (England)
13.00%
1,196,000
North West (England)
10.00%
740,000
East of England
8.40%
520,800
Yorkshire and The Humber
8.40%
460,379
Scotland
7.00%
385,000
East Midlands (England)
7.40%
355,200
West Midlands (England)
10.40%
304,512
South West (England)
4.60%
257,600
Wales
5.00%
156,800
North East (England)
5.20%
137,800
Northern Ireland
1.00%
19,000

More than a third of Londoners are taking serious ofFENCE

The primary source of neighbourly tensions in the UK is fences, with 47% of disputes centred around their height, location, or ownership.

For Londoners, 39% of residents identified fences as the main cause of their conflicts, closely followed by driveway access, which 38% of Londoners reported as a significant issue.

Nyree Applegarth, head of property litigation at Higgs LLP, comments: “London’s popularity, lack of space and parking, and high property prices significantly exacerbate neighbourly tensions. As the population continues to grow, homeowners are likely to become increasingly protective of their boundaries, leading to conflicts over boundary lines and shared resources. With driveways often being a scarce commodity, disputes over access and usage become inevitable.”

1 in 6 Londoners spend over £2,000 on boundary battles

The average initial cost of resolving a boundary dispute for British homeowners is around £750. However, 1 in 6 Londoners admitted to spending over £2,000 (that’s nearly 85% of the average Londoner’s monthly wage after tax [2]).

1 in 6 Londoners spend over A YEAR resolving Great British Boundary Battles
Our research found that British homeowners typically spend 6 to 12 months caught up in boundary disputes with neighbours. However, 1 in 6 Londoners reported disputes lasting over a year.

Majority of Londoners find boundary disputes emotionally exhausting
Communication is essential for resolving boundary disputes, and London’s homeowners agree. Most (61%) of London’s respondents attempted to negotiate directly with their neighbours, though 64% found these boundary discussions emotionally exhausting. Only a third (32%) of Londoners sought legal support, with 28% opting for mediation.

Applegarth comments:

“It’s essential for homeowners to understand their rights and seek professional guidance to navigate these disputes effectively. Conflicts can escalate quickly, and without legal advice, we’ve seen them drag on for decades. By addressing issues early, homeowners can prevent conflicts from escalating and maintain Britain’s neighbourly neighbourhoods!”