Can I raise the wall I share with my neighbour, build against it or make them share the costs?
In short
It depends. You can raise the shared wall at your own expense. But building against the wall and making major changes require your neighbour's consent. Maintenance costs are shared.
Video transcript
You want to build a lean-to shed in your garden, resting against the wall you share with your neighbour. It depends: You can raise the shared wall at your own cost. But building against it needs your neighbour's consent. The right way: First get your neighbour's written consent; if they refuse, go to the justice of the peace. Maintenance costs are shared. Without consent: Fine: None; But: Restore original state; Also: Compensation to neighbour.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- A wall on the boundary between two plots is presumed to be owned jointly by the two neighbours, in equal shares, unless proven otherwise (mandeligheid / mitoyenneté; Civil Code Book 3, art. 3.104–3.105).
- You can carry out minor protective and maintenance work on your own. Other management work and decisions about the wall need both neighbours' consent. If the neighbour's refusal is an abuse of rights, the court can give permission instead (art. 3.110).
- You may build against the wall or fix something to it up to half the thickness of the wall. To do so, you need your neighbour's prior consent, or a court decision if they refuse (art. 3.111).
- You can raise the wall, but at your own expense. The new section belongs to you and you are responsible for maintaining it (art. 3.111).
- The costs of maintenance, major repairs and rebuilding are shared between the co-owners. If one person caused the damage, that person pays (art. 3.112). You cannot put a window in a shared wall (art. 3.132).
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No fine; this is a civil law rule. Your neighbour can ask the court to order the wall to be restored to its original state or to award compensation.
Legal basis:BW Boek 3, art. 3.111
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- Having to undo work done without consent at your own expense
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.33 §1
- Paying compensation to your neighbour
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5
- A long-running dispute with your neighbour; try mediation or the justice of the peace (vrederechter / juge de paix) first
Legal basis:Ger.W. art. 731, 733
What do these terms mean?
- Justice of the peace
- The local court in every canton for everyday disputes such as neighbour conflicts, rent and small debts. It first tries to reconcile the parties.
Why does this rule exist?
A shared wall affects the safety and value of both houses. The rule stops one neighbour from acting alone and damaging the other's property, and makes sure costs are shared fairly.
Where can you go?
- Municipal planning departmentAsk before you start the works (dienst omgeving / service urbanisme)
- Tax office – land register (cadastre)Report renovation works through MyMinfin
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 13 / 13 statements in an official source
- Checked: 02.11.2026
- Last checked
- 02.11.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 13 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Sınır duvarı aksi kanıtlanmazsa yarı yarıya ortak sayılır
BW art. 3.104 - Found in an official source
Sınır boyunca/üstünde yapılan afsluiting ortak sayılır
BW art. 3.105 - Found in an official source
Diğer yönetim/tasarruf işleri için iki malikin onayı; haksız ret hariç
BW art. 3.110 - Corrected according to the source
Küçük koruma ve bakım işlerini tek başınıza yapabilirsiniz. Diğer yönetim ve tasarruf işleri için iki komşunun da onayı gerekir. Komşunun reddi hakkın kötüye kullanılmasıysa hâkim onay olmadan izin verebilir (md. 3.110).
Yerel kontrol 2.11.2026 (www.ejustice.just.fgov.be) - Found in an official source
Duvar kalınlığının yarısına kadar dayanma; önceden onay veya mahkeme
BW art. 3.111 - Found in an official source
Duvarı yükseltme hakkı; masraf yükseltene; yeni kısım ona ait ve bakımı ona
BW art. 3.111 - Found in an official source
Bakım/onarım/yeniden yapım masrafı hak oranında paylaşılır; tek kişi zarar verdiyse o öder
BW art. 3.112 - Found in an official source
Ortak duvara pencere açılamaz
BW art. 3.132 §1 - Found in an official source
Ortak duvara yapı için komşu onayı veya mahkeme kararı gerekir; medeni hukuk
BW Boek 3, art. 3.111 - Found in an official source
Ceza yok; komşuluk yükümlülüklerinde sulh hâkimi yetkili
Ger.W. art. 591, 3° - Found in an official source
Zarar aynen (eski hâle getirerek) giderilebilir
BW Boek 6, art. 6.33 §1 - Found in an official source
Kusurla zarar veren tazminat öder
BW Boek 6, art. 6.5 - Found in an official source
Sulh hâkimi önce tarafları uzlaştırmaya çalışır
Ger.W. art. 731, 733
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?