Property owners are not always aware of the property’s general boundaries – where your property starts, and another’s begins – so boundary disputes are not uncommon. Furthermore, a recent report published by Churchill Home insurance claims that around 6.6 million Britons have been involved in a dispute with neighbours over property boundaries in the last year. Some of the most common contentious areas involve fences, walls, and hedges, but further disputes recorded involved access problems or arguments concerning other matters, such as overhanging trees. This blog looks at some basics about boundary disputes and some steps you can take to resolve them.
How to resolve boundary disputes
Boundary disputes, if not dealt with quickly, can be costly and time-consuming, so it is wise to avoid them occurring in the first place. Start by checking legal documents for your property via the Land Registry and consider purchasing the documents for your neighbour’s home simultaneously. Having all relevant information to hand can provide helpful information to support your argument. You may find that speaking with your neighbour face-to-face about your concerns or frustrations will be enough to resolve your differences, preventing the dispute from ending in court.
However, where amicable discussions with your neighbour are not possible, or communication breaks down, seeking legal advice as soon as possible can minimise the impact of the dispute. Our specialist property dispute solicitors can help assess your case and discuss the best way forward.
Most people assume you will need to go to court to resolve a boundary dispute, but ideally, this should be the last resort and avoided where possible. We have helped many clients address these matters, often resolving boundary disputes through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution. When more robust action is needed, we also have a successful litigation team who can represent you in the county court or Appeal Court for cases involving boundary disputes.
While we have highlighted some of the basic steps you can take in a boundary dispute, providing a standard set of guidelines for dealing with every neighbour’s problem is impossible. Problems are so varied, and the solution to any particular dispute will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Boundary disputes involve complex areas of the law requiring expert advice. If you are involved in a boundary dispute, contact our team as soon as possible so we can act swiftly to protect your best interest.
Boundary Dispute Solicitors London
Our experienced and understanding boundary dispute team are here to help you. We will work with you to ensure the best possible outcome in boundary and neighbour disputes.
Contact a member of our dispute team below to discuss the best way forward for you and we will provide you with further and specific advice tailored to your circumstances.
This blog post is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our team of solicitors
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