Access adjoining property information

If you want to find out who owns the property adjoining yours (a property with a common border), you can submit an application to access this information from Council.

You can request this information because:

Will Council provide my neighbours contact details to me?

Council will assess your application to determine if it meets the relevant criteria:

  • If the property is owned by a person(s) you may only be provided with the POSTAL ADDRESS of the property owner.
  • If the property is managed by a real estate agent you may only be provided with the POSTAL ADDRESS FOR THE REAL ESTATE AGENT. It is then a matter for the real estate owner to act as agent or liaise with the property owner.
  • If the property is owned by a company you may only be provided with the POSTAL ADDRESS for the company.

What information will not be provided?

If Council considers it appropriate, Council will provide one form of contact only – a postal address for the adjoining neighbor.

  • Council will not provide email address, phone/mobile phone number, or residential address.
  • Council can only provide the information that we have on record and accepts no responsibility if that information is not accurate.

How you can use the information

Strict conditions apply to the provision of this information. It must not be kept, copied, distributed or used for unrelated purposes. You cannot turn up unannounced at any property address provided as we may provide a postal address only.

Disputes

Council does not deal with disputes between neighbors. If you require help with a fence, tree or drainage dispute, you may consider contacting the Community Justice Centres. The Centre offers free advice and mediation services.

Why is Council providing my personal information to my neighbor?

Generally Council will provide limited personal information - name and postal address – if requested to enable a neighbour to address matters under the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW), clause 49(1)(b) of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW), or the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 (NSW).

Council has an obligation to protect personal information against unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure and must not disclose personal information except in accordance with the information protection principles (IPPs) contained in the Privacy and Personal Protection Act 1998 (NSW).

Personal information includes your name and contact details (phone number, email, address).

However, section 25(b) of the Privacy and Personal Protection Act 1998 (NSW) provides that an exemption exists if non-compliance is permitted (or is necessarily implied or reasonably contemplated) under an Act or any other law. Council considers it appropriate to provide limited personal information for the purposes of the Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW), clause 49(1)(b) of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW), or the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 (NSW).

 

What you will need to complete the application form

  • Your details and sufficient evidence of your identity and proof of ownership (e.g. Driver’s License, and Rate Notice or other documentation providing ownership)
  • Adjoining property details (address)
  • If you are an agent, you will be required to provide proof that you are authorised to act on behalf of the owner
  • You will be asked to declare the purposes for which you are seeking the information

 

Apply

Details on how to apply and a link to the application form will be added soon. In the meantime you may use Informal Access Request - Dividing Fence 

 

Related information

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