Residential Property Boundary Disputes

Does the Title Plan for a property determine the boundary for that property?

One of the most common misconceptions that we come across in our property dispute resolution department is that the H M Land Registry title plan denotes unquestionably the precise boundary for a property. If only matters were this simple. The title plan shows with a red line what is known as a “general boundary” only and therefore is of limited significance and use in determining the precise boundary.

A physical boundary may be marked by a fence, wall, hedge, stream, edge of a drive way to name just a few examples. It is necessary to look back at the initial conveyance for the property and if possible the original conveyance plan for more guidance on establishing the boundary lines where there is a dispute.

The historic background and information about the property and its boundary will also be relevant.

Where there is a boundary dispute we will conduct a site visit after perusing all available documentary evidence relating to the property. We will assist in engaging a surveyor if required and then do our upmost to achieve a swift resolution to the dispute, adhering to the Protocol for Disputes between Neighbours about the Location of their Boundary (The Boundary Disputes Protocol).