Land Development: Three Practical Guidelines on Avoiding Boundary Disputes

If you are planning on developing your land, you should be keen on property boundaries. Often, landowners overlook the importance of managing their borders with utmost diligence. Over time, disputes with neighbours will arise on the correct position of the property lines. The disagreement can escalate into a legal problem. If this happens, you might have to spend a lot of money and time on a resolution. Here are some practical guidelines to help you avoid boundary disputes with your neighbours.

Check the Title Plan

When purchasing new land for your construction or other development, you should check on the land plans before settling. Typically, the seller will provide you with a plan indicating the property boundaries. Often, these documents are correct, but there is no guarantee. In simple terms, the lines between properties can become complicated over the years, and the truth can be blurred. Therefore, you should ask for the official registered title plans from your solicitor during the conveyancing process. Make a comparison with the seller's plan before deciding on the purchase. If there are problems with the boundaries, you will avoid future complications with the neighbours.

Survey before Building

If you own a piece of land that you would like to start developing, you should not be quick to commission excavation and construction. It is essential for you to confirm the position of the boundaries before applying for planning or building permits. The local council will not perform assessments to verify that you are building entirely on your property. Therefore, you might end up installing a structure on your neighbour's lot. Also, you could encroach by constructing a balcony or eaves over their property. Later on, if the neighbour complains about the boundaries, it might cost you a lot to resolve the problem. Therefore, you should hire licensed land surveyors before building or performing any other development activity.

Discuss Fencing

Fences are important features which are built to serve as physical barriers outlining the position of the boundary. It is essential to ensure that this feature is established around your property so that you will not have to deal with disputes on trespassing and encroachment. Under ideal circumstances, you should approach your neighbour and discuss building the structure or repairing an existing one as a joint project. An amicable agreement is more favourable than pursuing court orders. Remember, you will need your neighbour's consent even if you decide to pay for the fence. So you should aim for a voluntary agreement.