A boundary dispute can be extremely unpleasant, souring relationships between neighbours and making you feel uncomfortable in your own home. It’s always better to try and avoid these disputes in the first place, so here are four warning signs to look out for when house hunting.

1. Trees Close to Windows

Look out for trees on your property that are close to your neighbour’s windows. An unpleasant neighbour may have reason to pester you if a tree is repeatedly growing onto their property, especially if it ends up blocking one of their windows and interfering with the amount of natural light they can get in their house. Also beware of the same thing in reverse – a neighbour’s tree growing dangerously close to your windows. Cutting the tree yourself could anger an unreasonable neighbour, but so could asking them to remove it.

2. Damage to Shared Walls or Fences

When buying a property, pay particular attention to the state of any shared walls and fences. If these become damaged and need to be fixed, your neighbour may refuse to pay their fair share. Try to avoid buying a property with obvious damage to shared walls and fences and, if you do, find out who is responsible for repairs before completing your purchase.

3. Renovations in Progress

Be extra careful when purchasing a property if your neighbours seem to be in the middle of renovating. Find out exactly what their plans are and how they are likely to impact your property. Having this conversation before making your purchase can spare you an unpleasant boundary dispute further down the line.

4. Previous Boundary Disputes

Talk to the previous residents of the house and ask them if there are any historic boundary disputes with the neighbours. A neighbour who has previously lost a boundary dispute may see a new resident moving in as an opportunity to try again. Previous residents can also give you a good idea about any other problems you can expect from your neighbours, although they may be reluctant to give up these details. Hesitancy to talk about the neighbours is a warning sign in itself.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

A boundary dispute can be extremely stressful, so there’s no shame in asking for help. At Bowsers, we have years of experience in settling boundary disputes as quickly and as painlessly as possible. We are well acquainted with the area and its history, giving us an expert understanding of the issues you are facing. Get in touch today for more details.

Image source: Pixabay