Defunct land next to house

Gonk1967

Try this website…

Home - FindMyStreet

…it may show the lane and who is responsible for its upkeep.

Soozmoney29

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015509#Comment_82015509

I don't think so…we always ask permission from our direct neighbours if we're doing anything that may affect them. I don't agree with taking something which doesn't belong to you though!

Soozmoney29

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015516#Comment_82015516

Thank you for this - pretty much sums up what we think but refreshing to read your final comment too - it is just wrong!

elsien

When a neighbour did a similar land grab on the other side of my road I felt like you did originally - that it was wrong. But they’ve turned an overgrown fly tipped space that was a complete nuisance into extra space for them and more parking, so in some respect they’ve done us a favour.

The difference between our situation and yours is what they did didn’t impact on anyone else - that land had been neglected for 25 years at least that I knew of.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015594#Comment_82015594

I don't think the loss is of any consequence to anyone else here either, but I think it highlights the difference between folk.

Although it would have come with the possible consequence of being reported, I think a nicer approach would have been to discuss it with every neighbour, and see if anyone else fancies extending their gardens a wee bit too - split the difference. What they've done instead is, "first come gets it all". Not really designed to encourage neighbourly respect.

They may wish to be reminded that, afaIk, it takes 10 years to make a claim for AP, and then the LReg will contact the true owner and ask "Is this ok?".

gwynlas

Do you have access to your rear garden from the front of your property and would you lose this if you extended to boundary?

I think you could argue that the lane provides potential access.

The neighbours should can claim adverse pocession in the future if unchallenged but this would take 12 years.

Unless correctly managed the compost might attract vermin.

Soozmoney29

Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read and reply - I appreciate this is one which doesn't seem to have a straightforward answer, but you've all given us food for thought and your suggestions and opinions are helpful.

WIAWSNB

Do your side boundaries meet at the same place, or are they staggered? Ie, is either of your side neighbours also potentially affected - or missing out on the chance of splitting the extra land?! Any opinions from other neighbours, from either row?

This move could encourage others to also act to grab first. Could become unpleasant.

Anyhoo, keep us updated of any developments, please. You may wish to delete the photos meantime.

Boohoo

If the OP puts up a plan or drawing of land/dwellings involved it could give us a better understanding of the area the "neighbour" wants to obtain.

I would inform all the neighbours that could be affected by this action so they are upto speed on things.

One last thing is there a way of getting notifications of any land changing hands near your property like a planning application or does adverse possession not need to inform anybody?

Soozmoney29

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016355#Comment_82016355

They're staggered - the majority of the land grab is actually the whole of my neighbour to the side of us - she is elderly and is very annoyed - her wall had a couple of blocks knocked off when they first started this - since replaced but no contact, either to inform or apologise.
They're currently moving a shed into the space now as well!