A boundary survey is essential for maintaining your property and protecting yourself from legal disputes between your neighbors.
Locating your property boundaries is a process that can be used to support your boundary claims or the installation of fencing. There are many factors to consider. From finding the right professional for the Boundary survey to knowing what to do during the survey to the long-term safekeeping of your property records.
Be Aware Of Outdated Surveys And Natural Boundaries
An older survey plan may be handy, but it only shows a snapshot of the property at the moment. The boundaries may not reflect current property. This is common with rural properties (like farms), where a natural boundary such as a river, creek, or ditch may divide the land. However, the boundary survey could determine that legal boundaries lie elsewhere.
Make Sure To Verify The Credentials Of Your Surveyor
Boundary work is only possible by a registered Surveyor. Therefore, do your due diligence before making your hiring decision. You should contact a government agency that registers surveyors and offers online registration to help you find and verify registered surveyors.
Although land surveyors tend to be very professional, you should make sure they are skilled in boundary surveying, communicate regularly with you, and have professional accreditation.
The right insurance should be in place for your surveyor. Things rarely go wrong but it does happen. Your surveyor is legally liable if they make an error while assessing property.
Mark The Boundary Lines By Walking The Property
Your land surveyor may ask you to take a walk around the property when they visit to assess the boundaries of your property. Your surveyor will likely point out key topographical markers that are on your property and those of neighboring properties. This will allow you to get a better sense of the land, as well as give you the chance to ask any questions.
The most common reason property boundaries get contested is that they weren’t formally established in their first place, or were not made clear to the current owners. Your surveyor must be exact in their reporting and specific in their descriptions. Your surveyor will be required to draw the property boundaries, as it is a legal requirement.
Everything Should Be In Writing
It may seem like common-sense advice regarding home ownership. However, always obtain your survey results in writing. You will receive a sketch plan and a boundary report from your surveyor. These documents can be useful legal records in the event of any dispute with a neighbor or when it comes to installing new fencing.
In addition to the documents, your surveyor will provide you with a written explanation of the work that was done as well as a sketch plan detailing the property boundary. This is especially important if you want to keep a copy of your property plan and a supporting note about your property details.
Due To Your Due Diligence
This is especially useful before purchasing a new property. But in some cases, your border survey could show that property lines may reduce the property’s size. The price of land is determined by its dimensions as well as its property lines. If the figures are not correct, you may be overcharged. Instead, negotiate a fair price.
Land surveyors are available to help property buyers. This is especially true for first-time buyers.
Talk To Neighbors
To keep your neighbor informed, it is a good idea to speak to your land surveyor before hiring them. It is possible to hire a joint surveyor in certain cases. This will not only help you split the cost, but it will keep both of you informed about your property boundaries.
A boundary survey is required in cases of dispute, such as over the location or maintenance of a fence. It’s important to keep detailed records and photos.
