You purchased a home for the family recently and you are looking forward to the future together. You settled well into the area initially and the relationship with your neighbors was civil. Sadly, things have taken a turn for the worst.
Your neighbor is encroaching on your property. Outlined below are some of the more common types of encroachment.
Structural encroachment
Many homeowners enjoy making improvements to their houses. They may wish to tidy up the garden a bit by erecting a fence or wall.
Some homeowners even make plans to extend the house so they can welcome a new addition to the family or allow guests to stay over. This is all well and good until such structures interfere with the enjoyment of your property. You’ve noticed that the wall has been built on your side of the garden and the extension also crosses boundary lines. This is encroachment.
Other types of encroachment
Not all forms of encroachment are man-made. Your neighbor may have a stunning mature tree in their garden. The downside of this is that it is completely blocking your view of the sun, so you are not getting any daylight.
Additionally, the roots of the tree are starting to disturb the foundations of your house, and you’re concerned about lasting damage.
What are your options?
Sometimes, a reasonable discussion with your neighbor can settle encroachment issues. Unfortunately, this is often not enough. You may need to exercise your rights as a homeowner and seek some legal guidance.