Avoid Conflicting Property Boundaries by Conducting a Land Survey
Posted on: 6 March 2018
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For various reasons, it is common to find two property owners disputing about their property lines. This occurs when one or both individuals misinterpret the property's deed; hence, assuming that their property boundary lies at a particular place. In other instances, one may misunderstand the wording of their title and, as a result, assume that a portion of the land is theirs. Whatever the case, conflicts which revolve around property boundaries can be costly, especially if you have constructed a structure on the disputed portion of land. That's why you need to conduct a land survey before any construction work to ensure that you are putting up a structure on land that is legitimately yours.
Don't rely on markers
Several decades ago, authorities relied on historical methods of dividing and surveying the land. These involved the use of physical markers such as trees or beacons to determine one's property boundary. Unfortunately, most of these markers changed over time, and this made it hard to outline clear boundaries. Even if you are sure that a particular tree on your land lies on the boundary line, don't rely on it as a marker. It is always wise to ask a land surveyor to check the property and outline the boundaries clearly as indicated in legal documents.
Check boundaries before construction
No matter how sure you are about the boundaries of your land, don't put up a structure without consulting a surveyor. This is particularly the case when constructing a building that will lie near the edge of your property. What if your neighbour disputed the existing boundary and their argument holds up in court? Would you pull down a part of your structure since it lies in someone else's land? This can be quite costly not to mention emotionally draining. To avoid this, make sure that you have checked the boundaries with a surveyor before conducting any construction work on your piece of land.
Settle disputes first
There are instances where your neighbour may dispute the results presented by your land surveyor. Whether their argument is genuine or not, you should settle it first before proceeding with construction work. In such a case, a court of law can hear the case and give a ruling. If the court rules in your favour, you can proceed with the construction. However, it would be disheartening if you ignored the dispute and moved on with the project only to receive an injunction to stop construction on someone else's land.
Always carry out a professional land survey before any construction work to avoid future disputes which can water down your hard work.