Boundary disputes most often arise in conjunction with fences. While some homeowners tend to agree with Robert Frost’s observation in The Mending Wall that, “Good fences make good neighbors”, most homeowners are less than pleased when the neighbors new fence is encroaching upon the homeowner’s property.

Most boundary disputes can be put to rest quickly by obtaining an accurate survey of your property lines. Since surveys are not required in Pennsylvania in conjunction with a sale or purchase of a home, most homeowners do not obtain them and choose instead to rely on either the previous owner’s description of the property lines and/or a visual inspection of an existing fence line.

If you have any questions regarding where your property lines are you should contact a surveyor and order a survey of your property. If you believe a neighbor is encroaching upon your property take the following steps:

1. Get a survey and instruct the surveyor to mark or “pin” the corners of
your property.

2. Approach the offending neighbor in a friendly and pleasant manner.
Give your neighbor a copy of the survey and bring the problem to his attention.

3. Attempt to arrive at an amicable resolution that you can both live with.

If you are unable to resolve the dispute you will need to hire a Real Estate Attorney. There are remedies available under the laws of Pennsylvania to help homeowners settle boundary disputes once and for all.

For more information on the remedies available to you please contact: