What is Property Encroachment and How to Deal with It

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What exactly is property encroachment? Encroachment happens when a certain improvement extends onto and over the boundary line of a neighboring property.

One of the most common types of encroachment is structural encroachment – this is when a part of a building extends over the property line. However, gardening beds as well as fences also are constructed over the line and are considered an encroachment as well.

Why do encroachments happen? More often than not, an encroachment is an honest mistake. It might be that the previous owner or contractor miscalculated and thought they were building on their property, or the wrong pin may have been used. Without a survey, this happens more than you would think.

There are several ways to deal with encroachments. The easiest way is to politely ask your neighbor to remove the encroachment. This is not usually a big problem if it’s only a flower bed or something else that can easily be removed.

If it’s a fence or a part of a structure, you can strike up an agreement and have the other party pay rent for the part of your property that was encroached. Another option is to sell the “encroached” property to the other party so they’re free to use it.

If you would rather use your property, you can go to court and plead your case. This is the most expensive option usually. An early agreement is much better for both sides.

Property Encroachment

This is exactly why a land survey is very important if you’re going to buy property. When it comes to an encroachment, the earlier you address the problem, the better. This is because of the Adverse Possession laws.

This law states that if someone openly uses a piece of property for a certain period of time and pays taxes for it, among other requirements, they could claim possession of the property and be awarded ownership.

Please note though that each state has different property encroachment laws so it’s best that you talk to a lawyer and a local land surveyor.

For any property encroachment problems or questions about it, call College Station Land Surveying at ​(979) 985-2525 or send us a message through our contact form.

Basics of a Property Survey or Boundary Survey

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Both property surveying and boundary surveying dates back in ancient history to the Egyptians who surveyed farm sites along the Nile River after every flood event.

Boundary Surveying Today

boundary surveying

Surveying is used for many reasons today.  A property survey or boundary survey is completed to establish a specific location of a parcel of land along with its exact acreage.  It is used to determine the boundaries of an area of ownership.

It is also used to identify a piece of property by a written legal description or to provide a review of the accuracy of an existing description. This data is of the utmost importance with regard to buying and selling land, and is also used to insure a clear title to the land.Here’s a little more about boundary surveying.

There are many different kinds of surveys that can be performed. Boundary surveying is typically done for undeveloped land. A lot survey or closing survey is typically done to re-establish the boundary of a previously established parcel of land.

These types of surveys measure the actual physical extent of the property in question. Most surveys progress through the basic procedures regardless of the type being done.

Any pertinent deeds, contracts, maps or other documents that contain a description of the property’s boundaries are located, studied and interpreted. A determination is made of what the actual property description says, along with the locations of any physical evidence of the boundaries.

This can be in the form of both natural and man-made monuments or markers that exist in the field. The property is then measured to establish the boundary, not only using the appropriate existing monuments but with setting new markers where necessary.

Measurements are accomplished using a total station and other surveying tools. A total station measures both vertical and horizontal angles, as used in triangulation networks. After these steps are accomplished, the property description and plat are prepared.

Boundary Surveying: Interpreting results

adams county ms property surveyInterpreting the results of boundary surveying is not as difficult as it may first seem. For instance, a property plat will usually contain a directional orientation which is typically indicated with an arrow pointing north.It will contain the bearing and distance of each boundary line, the property lines of other properties shown on the plat, and the names of adjacent property owners listed in the areas of their property.

Corner monuments, along with the names of any natural monuments (such as “Smith’s Creek”, for example) or a brief description of any unnamed natural monuments (such as the “30-inch oak tree”) are on the plat.

There is also a title block containing the property’s location and owner name, the land surveyor’s name and license number, the date the survey was performed, the scale of the plat and any other relevant data.

Boundary Surveying Services

For a free boundary surveying quote for College Station or Brazos County, Mississipi, call College Station Land Surveying at ​(979) 985-2525 or visit our contact page to send us a message. 

College Station Land Surveying

College Station Land Surveying Posted on by

Welcome to College Station Land Surveying

 

Land Surveyor College StationWelcome to our site. We want to provide you with information on Land Surveying in general and specifically in the City of College Station, Texas​, and the Brazos County, Texas area. If you have any land surveying questions, you’ve come to the right place.

Land Surveying is a very important industry, and it has been around for ages. To know more about the basics of land surveying, you can click here.

Land Surveyors are professionals who measure and make precise measurements to determine the size and boundaries of a piece of real estate.  While this is a simplistic definition, this is one of the most common types of surveying related to home and land owners. To know more about what a land surveyor does, click here.

What you can expect from College Station Land Surveying

land surveyor college station txIf you need assistance on any land surveying services, our surveyors have the proper experience and credentials. We strive to give good customer service as well.

College Station Land Surveying offers different land surveying services. We also offer Boundary surveying, ranch surveying, title surveys, subdivision design and layout, topographic surveying, construction surveying and layout, and pipeline surveying services.

How to contact College Station Land Surveying?

CALL College Station Land Surveying TODAY at ​(979) 985-2525 to discuss your land survey needs. You can also send us a message by filling out the form on the right or going to our Contact Page.