Boundaries FAQ

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding surveys, property lines and boundaries.

Q - How can I figure out what the exact boundary lines are for my property?

A - The best solution is to call in a licensed land surveyor who can place official markers on the boundary lines after surveying your property. Professional associations like the California Land Surveyor's Association can often provide useful information on choosing and working with such a land surveyor. The cost for a survey will be determined by the size of your parcel of land, when it was last surveyed, where in the country it is, whether or not it is in a subdivision and some other details as well. You can expect to spend as little as $500 or as much as $1,000 or more depending on these details.


Q - If my neighbor and I do not want to shell out the money for a surveyor, can we simply make our own private agreement about property boundaries?

A - There is no reason why you and your neighbor cannot agree on where you want the line to be, making a lot line agreement. You can make this agreement official by signing deeds describing where the boundaries are. If this is the route that you take, make sure to research the zoning and subdivision laws in your local area as you may need to comply with them during the decision making process.


Q - What are my options if a neighbor is using property that belongs to me?

A - If a neighbor begins building on a piece of property that you believe to be yours, then you should do something about it immediately. If the encroachment in question is minor in nature, like a small fence in the wrong place, then you may feel like it is not worrying about but you would be wrong. When you try to sell your property at some point, a title company may outright refuse to issue insurance because someone else is using your land. If you do not act promptly in matters like this, you could end up losing a piece of your property. If someone else uses your land for a long enough time, he or she could gain a legal right to continue doing so, allowing him or her to actually gain ownership of the property when it was yours to begin with.

You should make an effort to speak with your neighbor right away in a circumstance like this. Most likely, the infringement was a result of a mistake, because some deeds can have conflicting descriptions and mistaken assumptions can be made about boundary lines in the process. If your neighbor insists on proceeding to use your land for their own use, let them know that you can and will sue if necessary. Send a firm letter, or have your attorney do so, stating your intentions if the building does not cease.

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