Your neighbor may assume they are giving you courtesy and informing you that they plan to initiate a major renovation or construction project on their premises, and that you might experience some temporary noise and other inconveniences. However, as you gain a deeper understanding of their undertaking, you may have a gut feeling that they are going to overstep your established property line. The last thing you may want is to argue with your neighbor, but you must also do everything in your power to defend what properly belongs to you. With that being said, please continue reading to learn how to handle a property line dispute with your neighbor and how an experienced New York City real estate attorney at Mark Wakim Law, can intervene if deemed necessary.
How can I best handle a property line dispute with my neighbor?
While you may feel the urge to act fast, you should not be rash in confronting your neighbor about a potential boundary issue. That is, you should gather the appropriate evidence before you open an amicable dialogue with them. For one, you should retrieve your property deed that describes your property boundaries. This may be alongside your land survey; but if this original document is unclear, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional land surveyor for an updated assessment.
Before you accuse your neighbor of overstepping, so to speak, you should utilize public records to look into their property deed and past land surveys. There is a chance that there are discrepancies between their documents and yours. In this event, again, you may want to retain the services of a professional land surveyor to interpret both sets of documents, evaluate both properties, and settle this once and for all.
When should I consider taking legal measures against my neighbor?
In an ideal scenario, you and your neighbor may be able to reach a mutual decision on where to set the property line between your lands. It is even okay to employ a neutral third-party mediator to help you navigate these sometimes difficult conversations. In a worst-case scenario, though, your neighbor may be unwilling to listen to your interpretation and proceed forward with their renovation or construction project with no hesitation.
If the latter is your current situation, you should get legal representation before it is too late and potential damage is done to your personal property. Here, your attorney may assist you in drafting and sending a cease and desist letter, which may state how your neighbor is encroaching on your property and must stop their initiatives effective immediately. Then, if they choose to ignore this letter, your attorney may guide you through the act of filing a lawsuit and your subsequent litigated proceedings.
If you find yourself in need of legal aid, look no further than a skilled New York City real estate attorney. Whether you simply have a legal question or require legal representation in an upcoming court case, our team at Mark Wakim Law, is willing to help out. Please pick up the phone and call us today.
