Land that doesn't belong to us.

Richard1c23

Evening All,

So myself and my wife are currently in the process of buying a house and we've just recieved a letter stating that a piece of land directly in front our house doesn't belong to us.

Just to try and give you a visual idea of the land, we have a path to our driveway (to be owned by us), a tiny plot between the path and our kitchen (owned by the original developer and then a plot to the left of us which will also be owned by us.

I'll be honest I have no idea of what this really means to us the potential owner, the plot of land is question is tiny and the developer also owns similar plots on three other houses in the area. Just wondered if anyone could weigh in with there opinions?!

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm trying to visualise this - and failing.

Could you put up a photo or diagram.

AdrianC

Who is this letter from?
What do the Land Registry plans say?

princeofpounds

Yes answering the questions posed would be helpful.


Show this to your solicitor. They do not visit properties so it is up to you to keep them informed of any boundary issues.


Look at the title plan, you really should be familiar with this, do not take people's word for what they are selling you.


Go and look at reality, and see if it matches the plan. Very important.


If this letter is coming from the developer, who is also the vendor, ask them why they are keeping that land. There may be a good reason, there may not.


It is not unknown for developers to retain small pieces of land.


They might be ransom strips, which prevent certain kinds of access and are therefore valuable.


They sometimes attempt to sell scraps of land at auction, pressuring the houses adjacent to spend a bit more money.


Sometimes it is done to ensure they still have an interest in the area and can enforce covenants.


Most normally it is done for utility/service reasons. They don't want other people's title sitting on top of communal infrastructure.

giddypenguin

Who does own it? We don't own 'our front garden' the council does, it doubles up as a traffic calming Island.

AnnieO1234

Do you have land the other side of this other plot? Is it something you'd look to extend over? I'm thinking ransom strip but without a plan it's not easy to visualise. Xxx

ruggedtoast

You have a path to your drive way? What does your car do?

Do you mean you have a path next to your driveway?

Richard1c23

I have zero idea how to upload a drawing on here.

With regards to the letter it came from the solictor with a copy of the land registry details included. The letter states that the small piece of land in front of my kitchen, is owned by the original developer (the house was built 30 years ago), it also states that 3 other houses in the cul de sac have the same situation.The plot of land in question is a mere 3 by 3 foot. It's an absolutely tiny plot.

As for going to see the property, I'm renting the property we're buying so I'm familiar with the layout.

Richard1c23

ruggedtoast wrote: »

You have a path to your drive way? What does your car do?

Do you mean you have a path next to your driveway?

We have a small pathway that leads round a patch of front garden to our drive, the drive is slightly off set from the house.

AdrianC

Richard1c23 wrote: »

With regards to the letter it came from the solictor with a copy of the land registry details included.

OK, so it's legit.

Yes, it probably is some kind of ransom strip to stop you moving the building line forward - and easier and more effective than a covenant. But the reasons why it's like that are irrelevant. Your choice is simple. Buy the house with that small area excluded - or walk away.

<thinks> Adverse possession might be fun...

Richard1c23

AdrianC wrote: »

OK, so it's legit.

Yes, it probably is some kind of ransom strip to stop you moving the building line forward - and easier and more effective than a covenant. But the reasons why it's like that are irrelevant. Your choice is simple. Buy the house with that small area excluded - or walk away.

<thinks> Adverse possession might be fun...

That was my initial thought. Thanks for the help.

Our solicitor has just this minute suggested the sellers solicitors should try and get the ownership transferred over.

Watch this space I guess.