You might have seen this scenario before, where two neighboring landowners come into a dispute about property lines. These kinds of boundary disputes arise when neighbors rely on old maps, trees, and property markers that are likely to change over time. A change in property ownership, conflicting deed elements, and inaccurate land descriptions also cause boundary disputes.
To settle where the property line begins and ends, a boundary survey is necessary. Here is an overview of the land surveying process to reach an agreement on the boundaries:
Start Discussions With Your Neighbor
Making things amicable between you and your neighbor starts with having amicable discussions. Try to speak with them about the issue and clear up any misunderstandings. This may be done via phone, email, or face-to-face discussion. When you keep things civil, there are higher chances that your land dispute will be resolved through mutual agreement.
Send a Letter
If the private discussions were not productive and successful, a letter from your attorney is the next step. You can ask your attorney to write a letter addressed to your neighbor. The letter should explain the situation and include a reasonable offer that can resolve matters. It should also include important information like previous surveys, title work, and appraisals.
With the help of your lawyer, you should be able to give your neighbor a full understanding of the situation. Your main goal should be reaching a compromise and resolution over the boundary dispute.
Hire a Professional Land Surveyor
During disputes over conflicting boundary lines, you need to have a land survey done to know where your property begins and ends. A land surveyor can provide you with clear and accurate answers regarding the boundary’s location. When you and your neighbors are having conflicts over land boundaries, you can resolve these encroachments with a simple land survey. Consider having one completed to resolve the dispute without involving the court.
A professional land surveyor will use official documents and specialized equipment to locate the boundaries of your property. According to HomeAdvisor, the usual cost of a survey ranges from $330 to $670. The total price depends on several factors like the lot size, geographical location, and the property’s history or age.
The markers set during the survey will determine whether your neighbors are encroaching upon your land or the other way around. Aside from locating property lines, surveyors will give you a legal description of the exact boundaries and create maps of your parcel. They ensure that the finished survey is as accurate as possible.
The land surveying process should always be done prior to construction. When the boundary lines are already checked beforehand, future conflicts can be avoided. A land survey can serve as evidence in resolving future conflicts and reaching an amicable agreement.
Take a Legal Action
In case the demand letter or negotiations were not fruitful, you may proceed to court to file a complaint. One option is to prepare for litigation and ask the court to decide where the boundary is. You need to prepare all the necessary documents and obtain a clear title to win the case. Litigation requires a lot of paperwork and money, so make sure you know what you’re getting into.
To keep things civil and cordial, you may choose to settle in court. The two parties will attempt mediation to help reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone. This will resolve the boundary dispute and avoid liability for litigation costs. In both cases, a qualified land surveyor can act as an expert witness who will testify and express an opinion on the subject.
Call the Land Surveying Experts
If you are currently dealing with a property boundary dispute, Pittsburgh Land Surveyors has you covered. Our goal is to provide you with first-rate and comprehensive survey services in the industry. We achieve this by utilizing our skills and cutting-edge technology. In addition to boundary surveys, we also offer flood elevation certification surveys, ALTA surveys, and construction surveys. When it comes to reliable and accurate results, we deliver exactly what we promise.
For additional information about resolving conflicting property boundaries, you may reach out to our friendly staff today. Our experienced surveyors will be happy to answer any questions or concerns. Do not hesitate to call us today to schedule a free evaluation.
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