High Street, Chellaston boundary dispute The black gate post is 8 inches over the boundary.

Boundary Disputes: Property owners are often neglectful of their boundaries until it is to late. Once the neighbour has chopped down that tree you thought was yours, it is extremely hard to put it back up again.

However if you have suitable title deeds then it is possible to attempt to resolve many disputes. Measurements can be taken and pegs knocked in to enable a boundary line to be established. Alternatively documents, photographs and drawings can be prepared to support (or disprove) a county court action for compensation, and or to get a hedge or fence re-erected in its correct location.

Unfortunately the help I can give is only as good as your title deeds. The current Land Registry title plans are not very accurate and only enable boundaries to be measured to the nearest half a metre. This is due to the small scale of the plans on which the boundaries of a property are drawn. It is thus well worth saving copies of old title deeds with measurements or drawings, if you have them. When buying a property it is wise to agree the ownership of any unclear boundaries with your prospective neighbours.

Abbey street Derby An unwelcome breech of the party wall act.

Party Wall Act: Recent legislation has made it compulsory to give neighbours notice of proposed works to a party walls, party boundaries, other party structures and excavations under boundaries. The Act sets out a timetable for resolution of any disputes. Owners of an affected property can appoint a surveyor to check out the proposed works, and any disputes can be referred to arbitration if agreement between the parties can not be reached. I am able advise clients proposing works to a party wall or who have received notice of proposed works from a neighbour.