What is a neighbour access licence?
Repointing a flank wall, fixing a gutter on the boundary, re-roofing or building an extension often means putting ladders or scaffolding on the neighbour's land. Most neighbours will say yes if they know exactly what they're agreeing to and that any damage will be put right. A short written licence turns a friendly yes into clear terms, and keeps it friendly.
This licence describes the works and the precise access area, the dates and working hours, and whether scaffolding may stand on or overhang the neighbour's land. It lists the protection measures and conduct rules for the builders and asks for a dated photo record of condition before work starts. When the access ends, the owner removes everything and makes good, or pays for the repair. You can add insurance, an optional fee (one-off or weekly) and a damage deposit. It says clearly that the licence is temporary, creates no lasting rights, and works alongside any formal boundary procedure that applies where you live.
- Best for
- Builders needing temporary access over a neighbour's garden, drive or roof
- Signed by
- The neighbour granting access and the owner having the work done
- Protection
- Condition record, protection measures, making good, insurance and an optional deposit
- Length
- 2 to 3 pages
When to use a neighbour access licence
- Putting up scaffolding in next door's side passage to repair a flank wall
- Reaching a shared gutter or roof valley from the neighbour's garden
- Building an extension right up to the boundary
- Rebuilding a garden wall that can only be worked on from both sides
- Painting or rendering a wall that faces the neighbour's property
What you fill in
21 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: neighbour, owner.
1 The properties
- Date of this licence*
- Owner (having the work done)*
- Owner's property*
- Neighbour (granting access)*
- Neighbour's property*
2 The works and access
- The works*
- Builder or contractor (optional)
- Area of the neighbour's land that may be used*
3 Dates and hours
- Access from*
- Access until*
- Working hours*
4 The works and access
- Scaffolding* No scaffolding may be put on the Neighbour's land. · Scaffolding may be put up in the Access Area, as described below. · Scaffolding may not stand on the Neighbour's land but may overhang the Access Area, as described below.
- Scaffolding details (if allowed)
5 Protection
- Protection measures*
- Insurance*
6 Money
- Access fee* No fee is payable for this licence. · A one-off access fee is payable, as below. · A weekly access fee is payable, as below.
- Currency*
- Fee amount (if any)
- Damage deposit (optional)
- Owner's contact during the works*
- Governing law*
7 Who signs
- Neighbour signature and date, initials on every page · The owner of the land being crossed or used. All owners should sign.
- Owner signature and date, initials on every page · The owner having the work done, who is responsible for their builders. All owners should sign.
What the neighbour access licence covers
- What the Neighbour allows
- Dates and hours
- Scaffolding, ladders and equipment
- Protecting the Neighbour's Property
- Record of condition and making good
- Insurance and liability
- Fee and deposit
- Contact and ending early
- No permanent rights
- General
Using the neighbour access licence, step by step
1 Describe the properties and works
Enter both owners and properties, the works and the builder's details.
2 Define the access
Describe the access area precisely, ideally against a marked photo, and set the dates, working hours and scaffolding rules.
3 Agree protection and insurance
Edit the protection measures and the insurance cover the builders must hold.
4 Set any fee and send
Choose no fee, a one-off or weekly fee, add an optional deposit and a contact, then send it to the neighbour to sign.
Tips before you send it
- Walk the access area with your neighbour and take dated photos together before anything is put up.
- Ask your builder for a copy of their liability insurance certificate and share it with your neighbour.
- Check whether a formal procedure applies to work on or near a shared boundary where you live. This licence doesn't replace one.
- Save the signed licence and the condition photos together in FileIt, with the access end date as its expiry date.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Neighbour access licence: frequently asked questions
Does my neighbour have to let me in?
Generally not without an agreement, though some places have formal procedures for access to neighbouring land or for party walls. This licence records voluntary permission and works alongside any procedure that applies.
What does "make good" mean?
Putting the access area back to the condition shown in the photo record taken before work started, including replacing damaged plants and turf, or paying the reasonable cost of doing so.
Can my neighbour charge a fee?
Yes, if you agree one. Choose no fee, a one-off fee or a weekly fee. A refundable damage deposit is a separate option.
Does this give a permanent right of way?
No. It is a personal, temporary permission that creates no lease, easement or right of way and can't be used as evidence of one.