If you own property in London, you know how important it is to safeguard your investment. One problem that can crop up for property owners is boundary disputes, which can be a horror to unwind. By hiring a boundary surveyor, you can make certain your property lines are accurately marked and prevent any developing troubles from becoming major problems. In this column, we’ll look at why hiring a boundary dispute surveyor is advantageous and why it makes good sense for London homeowners to do so.
How is a Boundary defined?
A boundary is straightforward to define visually perhaps by a wall or hedge, a fence line or other structure. But a boundary may also be invisible, marked only by mutual understanding of where it lies. This is where renovation and building can become complicated especially when a property is sold and taken on by a new homeowner, maybe one who doesn’t have the same casual attitude and who is much more interested in marking out their territory with a precise boundary line.
If you run into these issues the Title Deeds of the property should show where the boundary has historically been set, with a chartered surveyor able to interpret the historical information, identify any historical party structure, and draw up a precise boundary plan for both properties.
What is a Boundary Dispute?
The boundary is a fundamental concern arises when two or more property owners disagree on the location of a property line. It can happen for several reasons; for example, because a legal property survey wasn’t conducted when a property owner bought the land.
Why do Boundary Disputes occur?
This can lead to conflicts in the future if an inaccurate sketch was transferred to the deed at the time of the sale. Moreover, physical changes put on a piece of land over time (such as a new roof, addition, patio and so on), everyone should discuss of theirs restrictions and ensure they’re defined on a map and within a property deed. If it is not well-handled, conflicts with a neighbour might lead to legal proceedings.
An absence of precise property boundaries is a major factor contributing to disputes over boundaries. Several factors can lead to these inaccurate boundaries regarding land ownership. One reason for imprecise property boundaries is surveyed boundaries may be incorrect. Additionally, land may have changed which creates dispute over the boundaries. Furthermore, individuals may move or alter their boundary markers to gain land from their neighbours giving reason for dispute. Regardless of the disputed boundary move, it is important to have accurate boundaries to avoid disputes.
Boundary Surveyor Advantages
Precise Determination of Property Lines: there are several advantages to employing a boundary dispute surveyor, one of which is that they can present you with accurate property boundaries. To make sure that your property lines are uniform with ordnance survey mapping, displaying the direction of the boundary and boundary line, they will use up-to-date technology and methods. In the future, this can assist you to evade debates with neighbours and legal problems.
Review of Title Plan from Land Registry: when you engage the expertise of a boundary dispute surveyor, you can know that your property’s boundaries and title deeds have been accounted for and are current. Many people are unprepared for the anxiety and annoyance resulting from conflicts concerning the boundaries of their estates. Contemporary title deeds may, in many cases, not stand up to scrutiny.
Professional Counsel: surveyors for boundary disputes are professionals in their specialised area and can offer valuable insight into your property. They can pinpoint potential problems and provide measures to be taken to address them.
Saving Time and Money: if you hire a surveyor, you will save valuable time and money in the long run. Surveyors help you to prevent potential legal issues and disputes, which are very time consuming and expensive and also solve dispute out of court.
What is the time frame for resolving boundary disputes?
The period it takes to resolve a boundary dispute can differ with the intricacy of the property and the dispute. Nevertheless, with the utilisation of a boundary dispute surveyor, you should find that the matter can be concluded on average within 2-3 months.
What do I do in the event I suspect a boundary issue?
If you suspect a boundary dispute, the initial step is to contact a local surveyor. Local surveyors are certified professionals who can do land surveying, boundary surveys, title research, and give a boundary report to help you in settling your dispute.
Cost of Boundary Survey?
The price to commission a boundary dispute surveyor can change depending on several factors including the square footage of the wall dividing your land and the intricacy of the dispute. On average, the price may come to £1,000. Even though hiring a surveyor may seem like an extra cost, it is an investment to protect your land. Boundary disagreements can consume a lot of your time and money in respect of legal fees, so a surveyor should help with settling matters earlier.
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In conclusion, hiring the services of a chartered surveyor is a wise investment for anyone who owns property in London. Chartered land surveyors can provide you with accurate property boundaries and expert advice. In addition, they can give you peace of mind. They help you protect your investment, so that you do not have to go to court over a dispute and lose a significant percentage of it in legal costs. So, if you have any enquiries or are trying to find a surveyor, get in touch. We can provide you with an accurate quotation or free advice. Our panel of boundary dispute surveyors are regulated by RICS and can also aid you in dispute resolution, surveying services, valuations, party wall matters and expert witness reports for settlement of a boundary dispute in London.
