Boundary Dispute: Anyone know of a good land surveyor?

[PreferQuietlife]

We bought ten years ago. We've been advised by our original conveyancing solicitor and another solicitor that all evidence including deeds, parcels clause, photos, trees and fences, and prior owners is in our favour. The neighbours, however, are a very wealthy (cough entitled cough) couple who bought a few years ago and as part of their purchase the first registration of their property was done with boundaries being approved by them and their solicitor (ours was already registered ten years previously when we bought) as part of the process.

Fast forward three years and they've now decided they want part of our land. They seem to have only one argument, which we rejected on the advice of the solicitors (who called it "spurious").

Still they have money. They hired a surveyor and say they are applying to the land registry for a determined boundary. Our solicitors have advised us to hire a surveyor ourselves, and submit all the counter-evidence to the land registry. Problem: we're rural (North) with just two firms who do this. One has been used already by the neighbours and the other guy is off sick. And we need this done soon.

So, anyone used a land surveyor/boundary expert they were happy with? We're resigned to the fact we're going to have to pay travel for someone.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any recommendations. I've tried the RICS website but a personal recommendation would help since there was no-one in our immediate area and it's so hard to know how to choose. Highlights would be someone who is used to rural/historic properties and land...

I would go back to the RiCS website. Call a few agents listed and ask for their recommendations if they can’t help you.

Do make sure you use a boundary expert and not just a land surveyor who will give you drawings but no advice. I don't know where you are in the country but I do know of a national firm who provide this. Not sure if I'm allowed to suggest a company on here though?

Yess, that's what we want a boundary expert land surveyor. I think if you don't mind you could PM me with the name of the national firm? THANKS.

You may already have done this but if not, give that this is not going to be cheap I would suggest, you spend a very small sum of money obtaining the following from Land Registry:

• Filed plan for your property
• Filed Plan for neighbours property
• Copy of both properties Registers
• Copy of all the deeds for each property.

I would also go to Ordnance Survey and ask for copies of all historical maps showing the houses/land, features etc. Ideally from field to current date - I appreciate we may be talking about old properties. They may also have historical aerial photographs.

Also go back on Google earth etc. The more you evidence you have that the boundaries, features etc have been in place for decades, since built the better.

I would also be making it clear that you will pursue your costs if the decision is in your favour. They clearly knew what they were buying if boundaries have been in place at least 10 years; so there is a point that their legal pursuit of land that is clearly and evidently not theirs may be vexatious.

Elderly neighbours can also be a useful resource, especially if, for example, 80 year old Mrs Smith can remember her dad building a chicken run and planting a hedge on what is now the disputed land.

Where are you based? I've a good contact on the Lancs/Yorks border.

Yes the same grief,
Theft remove my fence and build ugly bare breeze block extension wall.
Who good in London solicitors and survey?