Property Boundary Disputes: What Homeowners Need to Know
A Shropshire family’s £600,000 dream home has become a legal nightmare after discovering their neighbours built a garden office on land that should belong to them. Their story highlights a crucial issue many UK homeowners face: what happens when a property boundary is installed incorrectly, and how long you have to fix it.
Justin and Julia Leech moved into their newbuild home in November 2023, only to notice their garden was 6 feet shorter than expected. The builder’s fence had been erected at the wrong angle, accidentally transferring around 190 square feet of their land to their neighbours’ garden. The neighbours subsequently built an office pod on the disputed land. Despite complaints to Shropshire Homes, the issue remains unresolved nearly three years later.
This situation raises an important legal deadline. The couple fear losing their land permanently after 10 years, due to a legal principle called “adverse possession”. In England and Wales, if someone uses land they don’t own for 10 or more years without permission, they can potentially claim ownership. This is why the Leechs are desperate to resolve the matter quickly.
What should you do if you face a boundary dispute? First, check your property deeds and the official Land Registry title plan. Request a boundary survey from a qualified surveyor if there’s any doubt. Document everything in writing, and try to resolve the issue amicably with neighbours before it becomes contentious.
If informal resolution fails, you have several options: apply to the Land Registry for a boundary determination, seek mediation through an official service, or take legal action. Courts can order that boundaries be corrected on the register if evidence clearly shows an error.
Shropshire Homes has offered to provide evidence to the Land Registry confirming the original boundary line, but has refused to transfer the disputed land. They also knocked £10,000 off the asking price — though many would argue this doesn’t adequately compensate for losing nearly 200 square feet permanently.
If you’re in a similar situation, contact the Land Registry or seek legal advice from a conveyancer or solicitor specialising in property disputes. Don’t wait: the 10-year clock is ticking.