Boundary issue

moneyistooshorttomention

paddy's_mum wrote: »

That little 'orphan' strip would worry me too.

Like Money, I have been the victim of a bullying, slightly unhinged neighbour who kicked off a boundary dispute that cost us very dearly indeed in terms of money, stress, sleepless nights and fear of what the daft old beggar would inflict upon us next.

Perhaps it's experience that makes some people want the matter resolved while others can't see that there is an issue in the first place.

Absolutely:T

Thought wouldnt have crossed my mind I expect - until I got the nfh next door that I now have - and she is someone that will fight about inches (literally:rotfl:) trying to claim use and/or ownership of land she doesnt own. She isnt just like that to me - I've noticed her doing this to two other neighbours as well and they seem to be living in oblivion about the fact she does this. I wouldnt want to be the next owner of either of the houses concerned if she's still sitting there in her house...as they don't seem to realise that what they "aren't bothered about" will result in one hell of a battle if they decide to use those bits of their land themselves. I certainly had one heck of a battle with her to kick her off my land.

Some people just can't resist the chance (as they see it) to grab for everything they want - regardless of how obvious it is that it's someone else's property.

EDIT; and - in this case - it isnt at all obvious to me that it's your bit of land. Looking at it as I walked past then I would assume it's the neighbours bit of land.

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

EDIT; and - in this case - it isnt at all obvious to me that it's your bit of land. Looking at it as I walked past then I would assume it's the neighbours bit of land.

The fact that something might not be obvious to you is irrelevant.

What's relevant is the situation as defined by the title documents of the OP and the neighbour, which we are told are very clear on who owns what.

If the title docs were unclear, it might be a different matter, but that's not the case.

Regulator101

For the avoidance of doubt.

https://ibb.co/c35xaw

moneyistooshorttomention

I'm outa here - the facts may be blindingly obvious (ie straight line on title plan) - but that won't stop an nfh if what things "look like" is different.

But some people do only learn from experience of that fact....#shrugs

This is exactly the situation I had with my nfh - ie very very clear legally...but she still "went off on one" and I had a heck of a battle with her.

Regulator101

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm outa here - the facts may be blindingly obvious (ie straight line on title plan) - but that won't stop an nfh if what things "look like" is different.

But some people do only learn from experience of that fact....#shrugs

This is exactly the situation I had with my nfh - ie very very clear legally...but she still "went off on one" and I had a heck of a battle with her.

I understand this and I agree that the way things look may increase the risk of a boundary dispute arising. What I don't understand is why a solicitor, in full possession of the facts, would take the view that removal of the wall alone would not also remove any such false perception. That is my biggest gripe here. It's almost as if the solicitor is going out of her way to make the transaction fall through.

Red-Squirrel_2

Regulator101 wrote: »

I understand this and I agree that the way things look may increase the risk of a boundary dispute arising. What I don't understand is why a solicitor, in full possession of the facts, would take the view that removal of the wall alone would not also remove any such false perception. That is my biggest gripe here. It's almost as if the solicitor is going out of her way to make the transaction fall through.

You're absolutely right. If you took down the wall from the point where it cuts in, there would be absolutely no doubt where the boundary lay. I'd be tempted to get rid of it if I lived there even without a dispute as I can't see what purpose it serves at all.

Regulator101

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

You're absolutely right. If you took down the wall from the point where it cuts in, there would be absolutely no doubt where the boundary lay. I'd be tempted to get rid of it if I lived there even without a dispute as I can't see what purpose it serves at all.

In 12 years of living in the house we never gave it a thought, but you're right, it would make more sense and be more aesthetically pleasing to have the 2 driveways open plan. And this is what we've offered to do, at our expense.

Anyway, we're hoping to be in a position of being able to force the existing buyer's hand by the start of next week. With a matched offer in hand we're hoping to put an ultimatum on them exchanging contracts.

Red-Squirrel_2

Regulator101 wrote: »

In 12 years of living in the house we never gave it a thought, but you're right, it would make more sense and be more aesthetically pleasing to have the 2 driveways open plan. And this is what we've offered to do, at our expense.

Anyway, we're hoping to be in a position of being able to force the existing buyer's hand by the start of next week. With a matched offer in hand we're hoping to put an ultimatum on them exchanging contracts.

If you have a matched offer from somebody who seems realistic and sensible you might be better to go with that, unless you have a real need to hurry.

Fosterdog

After seeing the new photos my earlier point about your neighbours having plenty of room to open their car doors, even if you did move the wall or put up a fence. They have just as much that side of their car as the have the other side and no less than with their other car parked further back, and more room than most people have in garages. If your neighbours choose to cause a dispute over it they are the ones being petty. If they are that bothered they could alter their own fence on the other side to make more room on their own property instead of relying on yours.

Regulator101

Fosterdog wrote: »

After seeing the new photos my earlier point about your neighbours having plenty of room to open their car doors, even if you did move the wall or put up a fence. They have just as much that side of their car as the have the other side and no less than with their other car parked further back, and more room than most people have in garages. If your neighbours choose to cause a dispute over it they are the ones being petty. If they are that bothered they could alter their own fence on the other side to make more room on their own property instead of relying on yours.

I agree. Spent a few minutes looking at it today and came to the same conclusion. We're hoping to see the neighbour tomorrow having already given them a draft boundary agreement that formalises the arrangement we've had for 17 years. If they don't agree to what we consider to be a perfectly reasonable request, I can only assume that they're not willing to help us out and that we'll have to take a slightly less conciliatory approach.