Neighbor Dispute Over Shared Land? Find Quick Solutions

[hoopladelicious]

My neighbour believes a piece of land between our gardens belongs to them and intends to enclose it with a fence. Our solicitor has confirmed that the land is shared. Various maps indicate different boundaries, with some suggesting the land is ours, but it has been used by both properties for over 50 years.

I prefer to resolve this matter cooperatively and inexpensively.

Could you recommend a suitable service?

Your only option I think is to try and negotiate either though a mediation service (you'll find registered mediation online,), or through a solicitor.
Why don't you suggest splitting the land between you?
One thing if your neighbour does fence it off it might be hard for you to get them to take it down. You can't very well take their fence down because the land doesn't belong to you either.

I'd put in writing to them that the land is shared & why this is, that you object to your neighbour fencing off the land for that reason & then suggest if they would like to come to an arrangement with any land that is shared that you are able to discuss.

Try to be as friendly about it as possible because these things can really escalate

in a similar situation, I paid the solicitor to write a fancy letter addressed to me that set out the legal position (we could access the land). then I told my neighbour - i've paid for advice and here is what my solicitor said and shared the letter.

the aim was to show neighbour that I had a strong legal position, but in the friendliest way possible (sharing info, not a legal letter saying 'you must share') and to stay non-confrontational.

it worked because we still share the land and take in each other's parcels 5 years on.

I agree with the above. I'd also go round and ask them exactly why they think that, to get to the bottom of it. Are they new, and did their sellers tell them that? You could then sympathise with their situation, but explain it's not right.