To rat out these CFs

[gerbalgreen]

Two family members, who I used to think were very nice, gleefully told me two years ago that they have been moving back their fence every year and have been stealing land.

But it's ok because their neighbours are elderly and haven't noticed. 😱

They live in the country side and you cannot see the neighbours house from their garden. Their neighbours land covers all three sides of their house and is a wooded area. They have tripled the size of their garden.

They were smug when they mentioned that if they used the land for a certain number of years the rightful owners couldn't take it back due to some law.

After this conversation I can't see them in the same light and now every time I meet up with them I realise they just aren't good people. I also feel so guilty knowing this and not doing anything.

I also know that either at the end of this year or some point next year the time will have passed that the neighbours can't do anything.

I am considering sending them an anonymous letter. Should I? I could find them on google maps. A big part of me doesn't want to get involved then another just wants justice to prevail.

I also live abroad. So any letter sent from my country, should the neighbours show it to said family members, would obviously be from me. I don't want this family to know how I feel as it would cause chaos with the rest of the family. I would rather make it anonymous. How would I do this? Would this give me bad or good karma?

YANBU : Write the letter
YaBU : Don't get involved

That’s unfair. Please don’t imply that the majority of people in Liverpool lack morals/ intelligence.

YANBU What an awful thing to do to elderly or vulnerable people, or anyone.
Have not read the entire post OP, but in case it has not been mentioned yet - the law that these CFs are referring to is Adverse Possession, under which if a trespasser is not challenged about ownership of land they occupy, after 10 or 12 years they can claim title to it. Therefore if the rightful owners challenge the CFs about their land within the relevant time, there will be no adverse possession.
Any claim of adverse possession would need to be made via the Land Registry, a government department.
So the owners need to be made aware, and also the Land Registry need to be tipped off that this is happening.

You could do the latter by email (new email address that could not be traced to you?) As for the rightful owners, do you have a friend in the UK who you could send the letter to, for them to stamp and post in the UK to them? To get the right property, you can download your CF relative's title plan showing their property boundaries. That may show the name of the neighbours' property too (costs about £1.50).

Alternatively, if there have been any planning applications submitted in the area, the local authority website will show for free, quite large scale maps with names of neighbouring properties on them. You should be able to identify the neighbours' property from that plus any details the CFs let drop.
Don't let them get away with it.
If all else fails, tip off the local press or the police.

YANBU. That is absolutely disgraceful and I think you are morally bound to tell the elderly couple.

So very sad.

Nope. Nothing worse than a snitch. Keep your snout out. Just don’t talk to them anymore if you don’t agree with them.

Grow up. I'm sure you'd be thrilled if this was happening to you or one of your elderly relatives. Stealing land from vulnerable neighbours is much, much worse than being a 'snitch' FFS.

You're more than welcome to message me with the details and I'll write to them anonymously so it's posted with a UK postmark. I really do hate things like this.

Nor me. Doubtless this person is of the view that the Kray twins only hurt their own, and on their watch your granny could walk down the Old Kent Road with her pension book hanging out her handbag . . . So tiresome.

That's disgusting behaviour.
I think @Fladdermus has a good suggestion re Age UK, or yes, new email address or moonpig. Just kinda hope that karma catches them first..

Yep, totally disregard. There is always one.

OP. Please take @FarmGirl78 up on her kind offer

Snitch?

Grow up

I work for Moonpig, please don’t send anonymous cards from us. You would be surprised by how many people do this, and by how many people contact us wanting details. Makes my life so difficult.

Could you just say something like "It has come to my attention that parts of your land have been incorporated into the garden at [address of CF's house]. I wanted to let you know so you can investigate for yourselves and reclaim any land that is rightfully yours."

You could say something about specifically where the land is in relation to their house (e.g. to the north of your house) but probably not necessary if you tell them the address of your CF relatives. I guess you could also send a map if you wanted to be really clear where it is.

You are doing the right thing.

Tell them any way you can and asap. I hate these people so much!

YANBU, +1 Moon Pig + you could also contact the local Age Concern. They can be really helpful.

😂You forgot to say 'snitches get stiches! 😂

I remember your thread, so pleased you got it mostly resolved. Hope you get the rest back too.

Are you the family member? I can't think of any other reason why someone would think this was ok.

"Nothing worse than a snitch",
Oh, I can think of many things far worse.

Is there any say to find out their phone number, and speak to them instead just to answer any questions? Without saying your name, just that you don’t want to get involved anymore than this. If they are elderly they might find it a bit scary with an anonymous card. But, you have to do something, whatever it is. If they were your parents you’d be thankful and of course they want the person who inherits the land to have what is theirs.

People hoping that it will be rectified when the house is sold are being very optimistic. I didn’t see the maps or deeds before I bought my house, the estate agent sells what they see basically. Most Surveyors won’t pick it up either. Even if the The new owners found out they would be unlikely to admit it and forfeit their lovely massive garden that attracted them to the house. The owners of the new neighbours will buy the house thinking the garden is smaller.

please please report it! X

I’m glad there are people like you. If my dd did this I’d be so proud!

@LampLighter414 Aunty Sandra is that you?

if they have chopped down the trees it becomes a lot more serious.

At that point they are potentially moving from civil to criminal because any wood from the tree belongs to the owner, and even if they were trying for possession of the land they don't have it yet, so that would be theft.

If any of the trees have a protection order against them, the council will get involved. if the tree has a TPO or if its ina conservation areas its £2500 max fine for working on a tree, or £20,000 for chopping one down. If its multiples that's going to be costly

and thats before any additional costs.

YANBU Send the letter. That's so disgustingly underhanded and tells you the kind of people they are I'm afraid.

It is a criminal offense in the US, but generally applies to people rather than property. If I called the police in this situation, they would likely tell me just to remove the fence as abandoned property.

I was a bit shocked when I learned that it's not a criminal offense in the UK.