Great Rural MoneySaving Hunt

mardatha

Brilliant thankyou! I need get my son to build a cage for them and we needed to know this.

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Steel wrote: »

Just out of interest (reading about rural boundaries a few posts ago) there's a 5 or 6ft strip of hedgerow at the bottom of our garden on the other side of our fence. Beyond that is a field. The council claim they don't own this strip of land and refuse to maintain it (they bought a block of land in the 1940s off the farmer's father to build houses on), the farmer insists he doesn't own it and refuses to maintain it and has put a fence up.

Meanwhile I'm getting a lovely crop of blackberries and plums every year and photographing the wildlife that use it.

Who actually owns it because if it's going begging, I'll have it

Anyone have any feedback on rural boundary issues?

I should add that we are one of at least 10 houses that back on to this strip of land and all our fences line up straight both in reality and looking on the land registry map. I've found a map dating to 1935 and obviously our houses are not on there, but there appears a field boundary marked in solid lines.

Claiming land after using it for 7 years which is or was called squatters rights does not exist anymore. It was removed by the last Labour government. About a year ago a squatters claimed a house in London he had lived in it for about 30 years? But squatter’s rights have never existed for property. He went to the highest court to claim it for himself as the actual owner was unknown there wasn't even any deeds. The court gave it to him on that basis (i.e. it was untidy not have an actual owner and the courts are never happy with that). So your option is to do the same, remember a president has been set so you may not need to go to the high court. Personally all what I said sounds a bit expensive and time consuming? If you want it take it as nobody is claiming it by fencing it. I would particuly go for this if there is no access to it, other than your neighbors. JB

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izzwizz wrote: »

It could have been originally "double-fenced" to prevent problems with livestock. The area in-between the fences is then left to grow wild. Not sure of the legalities, it's just the way things tradionally have been handled in rural areas.

It is unlikely to be the product of double fencing as this is a relatively new law or requiremnet although a hedge and a fence counts as double fencing. This is simply something lost in history grab it if you want it. Note the idea of putting some sort of fence stopping your neighbors using it is a good idea as it is no mans land it may couse you problems in the future if you don't. JB

harryhound

brandeberryj wrote: »

Claiming land after using it for 7 years which is or was called squatters rights does not exist anymore. It was removed by the last Labour government. About a year ago a squatters claimed a house in London he had lived in it for about 30 years? But squatter’s rights have never existed for property. He went to the highest court to claim it for himself as the actual owner was unknown there wasn't even any deeds. The court gave it to him on that basis (i.e. it was untidy not have an actual owner and the courts are never happy with that). So your option is to do the same, remember a president has been set so you may not need to go to the high court. Personally all what I said sounds a bit expensive and time consuming? If you want it take it as nobody is claiming it by fencing it. I would particuly go for this if there is no access to it, other than your neighbors. JB

Assuming we are talking about England?

Search the Land Registry on line map (there is a little spyglass thing that focuses down to a small radius) You should find you own one side of the line and you might find that the farmer owns the other side (but he might not have registered his farm yet.) You may discover that the Land Registry thinks there is a third area between the two of you. Then spend the money to get down load the legal title and the plan. They are usually 4 quid each I think. you need yours and the farmers and then try to get the one between you if it exists.
Now if you are trying to claim adverse possession against a piece of unregistered land you have to use it and exclude any other claimant for 12 years.

If the land you are claiming is registered, after 10 years you have to make yourself known by writing to the address of the registered owner. This will produce a very angry neighbour and solicitor bills all round. This is the change a few years ago.

Either way you repair the far fence and take before and after pictures of what you have done, including a picture of yourself reading that day's news paper. Ideally you also recruit a trusted neighbour and get them into the "after" picture. You make a securely sealed envelope containing 2 or three copies of your evidence and mail it to yourself registered post. You don't open it, that is your evidence for 12 years time. It should defeat the claim of an owner turning up after 12 years, but the trusted local comes in useful if you want to register your new possession with the minimum of legal costs.

You have to beware of easements over the land that others may have. These take longer to defeat - 20 years for an unused private right of way.

It always has been possible for the unregistered owner of a piece of land, when discovering a squatter to write to him saying that squatting use of the land is perfectly acceptable because there are no other plans for it yet
(Most freeholders would over react and immediately create a dispute only to be asked how many thousands he hanted to spend getting back land worth hundreds?)



Hours of reading about other people's tangled land disputes here:
http://www.gardenlaw.co.uk/

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brandeberryj wrote: »

Just found this site/forum. Have been living rural for 3 years now, although i was living for 10 years in rural Herefordshire. Must say the best way to save money is not just to get to know your neighbours but get to the pubs note pubs not pub. I have saved fair bit on pigs, pheasant (virtually free) etc. Speak to everyone you meet when you go out walking/cycling. I get apples form a farmer I met who had a couple of apple trees in his hedge with other people i scrounged off from I now have 14 gallons cider brewed. I could go on but the things is to talk to people.....whether they want to or not!!!!!!! JB

Not sure why I wrote 3 years anyway its 5 years now and I have 34 gallons of cider on the go can't get round the house without tripping over it. Also gave a huge amounts of Bramleys to pub result a few free beers and some lovely lamb steaks.
My central heating is LPG (tank not bottle) but I had a wood burner fitted about 2-3 years ago (£2200). After volunteering for a few things I found a free supply of wood. No idea how long it will last (New wood will hopefully be cut down every year) but it has paid for itself by the reduction in LPG use This is despite not having total control over my central heating. The boiler is in the attic and comes on when the temperature of the water in the boiler drops below 5 degrees (I think). So it is on quite a lot at the moment although only for short periods. Now cycling to collect this wood proved to be impractical and bit a tiring (7 miles in total for each load). So am now sharing with a friend who drives. Either way I will soon have another year’s wood.
Am going to do elderberry wine next year as a friend gave me some and it was very nice. Only got to try a little bit as it exploded in my daughter’s car covering the inside and the occupants. Now sloe gin is not in the least bit cheap to produce although using cheap gin is OK but is proving a good thing for pressy as everyone seems to love it need to do at least 3 gallons next year as normally do only do 2. After emptying the gin out I reuse the sloes by pouring in cider, nothing beats sloe cider. Right must go chainsaws need sharpening. Those who burn wood and do some of the cutting at home should consider an electric chainsaw. About £60 (flymo). Cheaper to run electric is way cheaper than petrol. Needs less maintenance and when you put it down it stops while petrol mower keeps going……..down the drive most of the time. It’s also much quieter which your neighbors will probably appreciate. The downside is a little bit slower but only a little bit. Oh just remembered all those free Bramleys resulted in about 50 or so apple crumbles, not enough as it happens although it is probably not great idea to eat them for breakfast!

mardatha

O god. For days now I have dreamt of apple crumble and custard... SOB!!! Laughing at the exploding elderberry wine. Think I'd have licked it off car

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mardatha wrote: »

If only we had one !!! Nearest pub is miles away ! We used to have 3 in the next village but they all closed one by one...

Get a bike! there is bound to be a pub within cycling distance and if you think it will be to hard get a power assisted one. Some if not most will allow you to use the motor only IE no pedaling. A good brand is best. Always ask when buying a power assisted bike if they have a spare battery that you can buy. If they have, the manufactures are not fly by nights. Loads of research is a necessity. I have not bought one but am always thinking of it. JB

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mardatha wrote: »

Laughing at the exploding elderberry wine. Think I'd have licked it off car

Kids wouldn't let me

zarazara

LOL we had exploding elderflower wine once. What a sticky mess!

choille

So did we - about 3am. I thought we were under seige.