Strip of Land

[piccadilly]

I have previously used this forum and received a lot of help.

I now have a further development that I would like to deal with. The border with my neighbour is about 50 m in length and the dividing fence was erected by the previous owner of my property. The fence is maintained by me. It is not the best quality as I must keep replacing the fence posts.

Beyond the fence on my "neighbours' side" is a narrow strip of land 1 metre wide (shown as red in the attached diagram) extending along the whole 50m length. Next to this was a large old, but healthy, 20 ft hedge that my neighbour has recently cut down significantly reducing the privacy between us.

I suspect that the hedge was the original boundary between the properties and the strip of land belongs to me. The neighbour has commenced to plant the strip with small shrubs that will never achieve any significant height,

I recently used an excellent boundary surveyor who proved that I owned small piece of land on the other side of my property.

Before I engage his services again, I wonder where the law is it going to be on this, as it appears the strip of land in question, has been used and occupied by my neighbour for, at least, the last 20 years or so, and they will claim the land belongs to them.

An indication, or opinion, on how I legally stand in reclaiming this land, if indeed, it does belong to me would be helpful.

Kind Regards,

[atticus]

Remembering your other recent thread, I would like to warn you that neighbour/boundary disputes can:

- get nasty
- be expensive
- make your house difficult to sell.

Think carefully before going to war over this. The issue in the other thread may be different.

[piccadilly]

Atticus,

Thank You.Yes I understand.

On my previous dispute which was more clear cut it cost me about £1,500 to have the boundary surveyor and the solicitor confirm that we have unequivocal right of ownership of the land.

This one may be more difficult - I feel confident the strip of land is within my title - but have concerns as the neighbours have had use of it on a daily basis for the last 20 years - and the previous owner of my property may have not helped my case by putting a fence up.

[R0b]

Do you know if the land is registered or unregistered land?

[piccadilly]

ROB,

Thank You.

I am fairly certain it is registered land - it is a case if who is registered to!

Regards,