They've improved...my flowerbed

[arouet]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA

Came out and there were my new neighbors sweeping up the area in front of my house where there are two large raised flower beds.

I went up to see what was going on and they had put new mulch down, put new plants in (and took out mine), repaired one of the rail road ties, and put some sun lamps in in the bed nearest their property. I said, "I appreciate it, but that is my property." and pointed out where I was told my land began (and what the plot plan said). The husband said, "The realtor said it was ours, but we weren't sure."

So, I am ordering a plot plan from closing and may have to get a survey done - but I don't want a fight with the neighbors. My question is, when the results come back, should I offer to pay for what they've done? I don't want them doing any more there and I want no later claims of adverse possession.

Thanks,

Arouet

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA

Came out and there were my new neighbors sweeping up the area in front of my house where there are two large raised flower beds.

I went up to see what was going on and they had put new mulch down, put new plants in (and took out mine), repaired one of the rail road ties, and put some sun lamps in in the bed nearest their property. I said, "I appreciate it, but that is my property." and pointed out where I was told my land began (and what the plot plan said). The husband said, "The realtor said it was ours, but we weren't sure."

So, I am ordering a plot plan from closing and may have to get a survey done - but I don't want a fight with the neighbors. My question is, when the results come back, should I offer to pay for what they've done? I don't want them doing any more there and I want no later claims of adverse possession.

Thanks,

Arouet

I think it would be very neighborly to offer to pay for the improvements they made to your property.

With that said, you could also give them written permission to maintain the portion of your land that the flower beds are on. That would help prevent any claims of adverse possession in the future, as one of the requirements for adverse possession is that the possessor must be there without permission. You would likely want to put a time frame on it so that you don't have them claiming any sort of easement. If you go this route, you'll want to have an attorney draft the agreement.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

Go to masslandrecords.com and see if you can locate a plot plan for your lot. Depending on the age of the subdivision, there may be a scanned plot plan. Compare that to your deed (also viewable on the same website) and you should see the lengths of the boundaries.

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA

Came out and there were my new neighbors sweeping up the area in front of my house where there are two large raised flower beds.

I went up to see what was going on and they had put new mulch down, put new plants in (and took out mine), repaired one of the rail road ties, and put some sun lamps in in the bed nearest their property. I said, "I appreciate it, but that is my property." and pointed out where I was told my land began (and what the plot plan said). The husband said, "The realtor said it was ours, but we weren't sure."

So, I am ordering a plot plan from closing and may have to get a survey done - but I don't want a fight with the neighbors. My question is, when the results come back, should I offer to pay for what they've done? I don't want them doing any more there and I want no later claims of adverse possession.

Thanks,

Arouet

If that is the very worst issue with these neighbors...Congrats!!


And yes...Follow the good advice given by the ^ members.