Hi there
I’d contacted my neighbours about cutting some trees back that were over 40 foot tall and overhanging my driveway and we’d agreed an imaginary line between us - or so I thought. The neighbours then changed their mind after the trees had been cut back. They were furious with me and I apologised. It seemed neither of us knew where the boundary line was and I’d hoped we might agree it between us.
The neighbour then put up a fence the whole length of the driveway - taking about a metre from what is shown on my Deeds of my 20 metres driveway although the line of massive trees hides it.
When the neighbour was putting up the fence I spoke to him and he showed me a brick wall at the end of the shared driveway with another neigbour (who is to the side of him) which he says is the marker. This matches the other side of another neighbour, complicated I know. This marker is hard to see as it’s buried under overgrown bushes. The first I knew of this was after I arranged for the trees to be cut back at my expense. I don’t know why the neighbour didn’t show me this before the trees were cut. It’s 15 metres from my boundary - which is the driveway.
My mistake was not getting a survey before the trees were cut, although the trees were high and covered the width of the land to the side of my driveway and my neighbour’s property.
i live behind two houses - one is my neighbour and other is the house who’s original garden my property is built in my driveway goes between them.
I’ve had a survey done to my boundary since but it didn’t clarify much and the solicitor I’ve got couldn’t find any boundary markers on either my neighbour or my Title Deeds - going back to when both our lands were sold in 1911.
My neighbour is aggressive and assaulted me when I tried to talk him when the fence went up so I’m frightened of him. A friend called to see him on my behalf to open up some dialogue but no response so far. I’ve reported it the Police but there were no witnesses - ive now got security cameras.
The solicitor says that without proof of a boundary we need a boundary agreement, a boundary expert survey, possible joint survey and if my neigbour still doesnt engage then a threat of court action. It’s very frightening and I’m worried about the costs involved.
I would like this to be resolved amicably as possible as I have children living abroad and I would like to join them one day and it’s going to be hard to sell if there is a boundary dispute.
Has anyone been through this and how did it end?
As they say…you are always wise after the event.