Wording of old title deeds

[tapsofgold]

If title deeds give measurements followed by 'or thereabouts' how can they be relied upon for measuring a boundary? The deeds refer to plans which are for 'the purpose of identification only' so equally unreliable. How can one ascertain the true location of a boundary with such information. Thank you.

I’m not a property lawyer but did do a law degree where we did conveyanving with a professor of property law. He said you can never determine with 100% accuracy where a boundary is from title deeds. Unless I suppose the boundary is with reference to a physical feature such as the midpoint of a river (which of course will move over time)

If there is a dispute, you may need to engage a surveyor, ideally one jointly appointed with your neighbour, to determine the boundary. They will look at title deeds, historical images of the property and features on the ground to work out where the boundary lies. If your neighbour is unwilling to work with you on this, you may need to ask the courts to work out where the boundary is. However, going to court can be expensive, so you should avoid this if at all possible.

Also, boundaries can move over time, just to add to the confusion.

Thanks for the comments. It may well become a dispute but I would hope to avoid court. Currently two land surveyors disagree based on their interpretation of original deeds and plans. It's a split open space between multiple properties so not much on the ground to work with unfortunately.