house in the area have claimed a piece of land next to their home

spendapennyortwo

On a nearby street there is a family who have fenced off a piece of land at the gable end of their house, and claimed it as their own. Are they within their rights to do this? I've made an enquiry with the local council but they think I'm not putting in a 'complaint' when all I'm wanting to know is if they have been granted permission to the land. I will hear back in more detail from the council in the near future, but why is it taking them so long just to say 'yes' or 'no'??

any advice?

spendapennyortwo

sorry that was meant to be 'they think I'm putting in a complaint' whoops!

McKneff

how do you know it is not their land, it could be in their deeds and they bought it when they bought their house.

If it is not their land, they cannot claim it just out of the blue and the council will tell them to remove the fence.

McKneff

spendapennyortwo wrote: »

sorry that was meant to be 'they think I'm putting in a complaint' whoops!

hello, sap, you can edit your posts, just in case you didnt know, rather than typing ut a new one.;)

Chippy_Minton_2

What's it got to do with you?

spendapennyortwo

I'm just interested to know why they have only just put a fence up recently (they have lived there for well over 5 years now) and whether or not they are entitled to do that.
I have been told by someone that once they've put up the fence then the land will be theirs anyway, which I sort of think is a bit unfair for others in the area. Not sure if its true or not.

EliteHeat

spendapennyortwo wrote: »

I have been told by someone that once they've put up the fence then the land will be theirs.

That makes sense :D:D:D:D

Lorian

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession

Browntoa

if the land is not theirs then I think the rule is 12 years without someone claiming ownership once its "enclosed"

spendapennyortwo

thanks for everyone's replies. You can call me nosey and you are right it's none of my business but as it's a rare thing for my hubby to comment on I couldn't help but notice it myself last week and thought I'd contact the council to find out if it really is theirs or not. Not that it makes any difference to my life! And no, I don't own the piece of land and won't be attempting to own it.

spendapennyortwo

thanks andrew-b, have just read the adverse possessions section from the link you posted. it more or less described the situation I've put in the OP.