How are fence-building costs divided between neighbours under the Line Fences Act formula?

There isn't a single fixed formula or universal percentage written into the Line Fences Act that automatically splits fence-building costs a set way between neighbours. Instead, when neighbours can't agree and either owner requests the municipality appoint fence-viewers, those fence-viewers inspect the properties and the circumstances, then apportion the cost between the two owners based on their assessment of the situation, including the benefit each property actually gets from the fence, rather than applying a mechanical percentage in every case.

This means the outcome can genuinely vary from dispute to dispute. Fence-viewers also have the authority to specify the type or standard of fence required as part of their decision, not just how the cost is split, so their award addresses both questions together. Once issued, this decision is binding on both owners, whether or not one of them cooperated with the process.

If you're heading into a fence dispute expecting a guaranteed even split, it's worth understanding that the fence-viewer process is an inspection-based, case-specific decision rather than a fixed formula, and that neighbours remain free to negotiate their own cost-sharing agreement privately at any point instead of waiting for a formal award.