Buying the strip of land next to my house

fun1980

I'd like to buy the strip of land next to my house, absolutey no intentions of building on it etc, it's just open land so would like to include it in my garden to make my property a bit more secure... It's approx. 40ft long by 3ft wide...


I have maintained the land ever since I bought the house approx. 20years ago, I have confirmed that it is owned by Wimpey who built my house and have contacted them regarding buying it.


I am now at the stage waiting to hear from the land director to confirm they are happy to sell, I believe I am then required to make an offer... I really don't want to pay a lot for it, any help with the process and how much I should think about offering for it? Anybody done anything similar and can offer any guidance please?
Thank you in advance

princeofpounds

Have you maintained the land to the exclusion of all others for 20 years, without permission?

You may already have a chance to be the owner. Google adverse possession.

Actually it's a shame you didn't look into this a couple of years ago; it's a bit harder now than it used to be.

Good luck.

moneyistooshorttomention

OP is wanting to do the "moral thing" by the look of it.

Actually, though, the fact that he has confirmed to the owner that he acknowledges they are indeed the owner (ie his offer to buy) means he has ruled himself out.

Reason being that would-be "adverse possessors" are told to lie and keep lying to the owner and making out that they are the owner instead and legal advice given to them is "never admit to the owner that you know they are it".

G_M

Too late now, but adverse possession was possible, though unlikely.

jonathanrolande

If there is no commercial value to speak of, it is (I’m afraid!) worth exactly what you are willing to pay.

fishpond

As to the question of what it is worth.
Only you or anybody interested in buying it would know, as the value would be linked to how much you/they want it and what you/they are prepared to pay + probable fees.
Be prepared to negotiate as only you know what you want to pay for it /whats it worth to you.

PasturesNew

Be careful what's under it - it might have something major under it that has the potential to cause you disruption at a random future point. e.g. the mains sewerage system or something. Some developers exclude these bits and pieces around developments as they're conduits for something.

eddddy

PasturesNew wrote: »

Be careful what's under it - it might have something major under it that has the potential to cause you disruption at a random future point. e.g. the mains sewerage system or something. Some developers exclude these bits and pieces around developments as they're conduits for something.

...the original plans used for planning permission might give some clues.

Being 20 years old, they may not be online, but you should be able to inspect them at the council offices.


Another possibility is that Wimpey kept it as a 'ransom strip' - but after 20 years it could well be defunct. Although if it is still a viable ransom strip, it would be massively expensive.