You are ready to build a new fence or perhaps a small building on your property, only for your neighbor to show up and tell you that your project cannot happen. Your proposed building plans are encroaching on your neighbor’s property, or so your neighbor claims. If you believe differently, you should establish where your property boundaries are.
As Sfgate.com explains, you have different avenues to establish the boundaries of your land. The more authoritative the source, the better you can make your case that you are not infringing on someone else’s property.
Check your property documents
You should have documents that detail your boundary lines. For instance, a land deed describes the measurements and boundaries of a property in text form. Also check a property survey. This is a document property owners should receive upon buying property. Your property survey should describe aspects of your property like the distance from whatever structure exists on your property to the property line and to nearby streets.
Obtain property line information
In the event you lack documents describing your property or you are not sure about them, you may visit your assessor’s office or the county recorder’s office to see if you can find a map that shows your property lines. And if you do not have a property survey, you could also hire a surveyor to measure and map out where your property lines are.
Producing a set of property lines from an authoritative source might help your neighbor understand your argument. It may defuse the situation and avoid a possible legal confrontation. You might even negotiate a mutual agreement to resolve the matter. Even if you do go to court, mapping out your land boundaries may assist you in winning your case.
