BOUNDARY disputes are a common reason for neighbours to fall out.
One homeowner said their next door neighbours are threatening them with legal action, alleging they’ve stolen some of their garden.
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The spat began after one family began a kitchen extension, which was “opposed at every step of the way” by the household next door.
After the building started, the neighbours accused them of “stealing a slice of their garden at some unspecified time in the past” by moving a dividing wall.
The family, who have lived in their home for 35 years, denied this but they’re now being threatened with legal action, they said in a letter to The Telegraph.
They insisted that the wall hasn’t been rebuilt and was last repaired after the Second World War.
Selling the house isn’t an option, as they would have to tell potential buyers about the dispute.
We explain how to resolve a boundary dispute with your neighbour.
Check the boundary
You can check the boundary by looking at the the deeds to a property.
If you haven’t already got these, you can purchase them from the Land Registry on the government’s website for £3.
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This will show the layout and boundaries of the land you own.
Note that you can also purchase a neighbour’s title deeds to see whether any extra property boundaries are outlined in theirs that aren’t in yours.
Sometimes, a T will be marked on a property line to denote responsibility for the boundary.
If you’re in a dispute with a neighbour about property boundaries, you can get the Land Registry to step in.
It will be able to define a boundary that everyone agrees on and will prevent future arguments.
However, this can be difficult as the Land Registry has strict requirements and needs detailed plans.
It’s best to keep tensions low by talking things through if possible and avoid making the situation worse.
If you really can’t come to an agreement, mediation services could be a good place to go as they’re cheaper than court costs.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors offers a service to help neighbours resolve rows about boundary lines and related issues.
Here is what you can do if your neighbour wants to take your fence down to accommodate their extension.
Also, we explain whether you are eligible for compensation if your neighbour’s “for sale” sign broke your fence.
Garden plants can also cause conflicts, we round up your legal rights if your neighbour’s hedge is taking over your garden.
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