Property Law: Four Things You Should Do to Avoid Boundary Disputes With Your Neighbor

Nobody wants to spend thousands of dollars in court over a border dispute with their neighbor. Besides being costly and emotionally draining, these conflicts can cause a bad falling out with your neighbor. In most instances, you can avoid disagreements by taking the right precautions before purchasing a particular piece of property. This article will address some of the measures that you can adopt to avoid boundary disputes with your neighbor and develop or enjoy your new property in peace.

Don't rely on fencing structures

When most people are viewing potential property, they depend on the existing fences as the indicator of the property boundary lines. However, fencing may not always indicate where the actual boundary lines lie. This assumption may causes disputes in the future when you build structures that surpass your part6 of the property. Before purchasing a property, always check the title plans against the boundaries on the ground to verify that they are placed correctly. You can seek the services of a surveyor to accomplish these. This not only gives you an accurate picture of where your property ends, but it also prevents future disagreements with the neighbors as you develop it.

Check planning application against title

If you have already bought land and intend to develop it, it may be a good idea to check the planning permissions against the boundary line before submitting your application. It can be disheartening to spend money obtaining planning permissions only to hear that you don't own some crucial part of the development site. Similarly, if you want to subdivide the property, the process can stall once it is established that the presumed boundaries aren't the correct ones as per the original title of the land. Always verify your planning documents against the title before committing to any form of development on the property.

Settle out of court                                    

There are instances where it may be difficult to establish the exact boundary lines on a piece of property. This is bound to lead to arguments between the adjoining owners. If this happens, it is better to try and settle the matter out of court rather than getting involved in litigation. Find a reputed property lawyer or solicitor who can help you and the other party come to an amicable agreement without involving the court. Reaching a fair compromise may be less complicated and cheaper in the long run.

Contact a property lawyer for legal advice and representation if you are facing boundary disputes with your neighbor.

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