Neighbor thinks he owns my land?

[rsewill]

Give them written permission to use the land for specific purposes and charge them $1 a year. Have them sign the rental agreement at a notary. No adverse possession, then no problem.

You can rent your land to someone for as long as it is agreeable to both parties and the renter can make improvements and, again, no problem.

The problem comes when you tell the person to get off your land and they don't. Eventually it goes to the squatter.

Once you begin legal action (file with the courts) then the clock stops.

You also don't lose your land if there is an accidental possession, ie., you accidentally occupy land because the people don't realize just where the property line is. A simple mistake. This happens a lot in urban areas where people assume a lot line and install a sprinkler system partly on the wrong side of the line. You discover the error years later, say when one property owner sells to a third party, and then the one owner can give the other permission (in writing) to leave the sprinklers in place. No adverse possession.

I'm not a lawyer but play one from time to time. But I actually did take a course on law at the local community college about 25 years ago where adverse possession was a topic.

 

[Wnc3]

Now you can get the game warden involved. Down here they swing a big hammer.

Good luck.

 

[strum456]

This section you bought back, has it been ammended back to your main parcel or is it still spelled out as seperate parcel in tax records? I would want survey to include corners of both if shaped as such and ammended as one.

It is my only parcel. My dad owns the rest of the origonal farm.

 

[whistlepig]

the tresspas sign meets the requirment needed for most municiplaites for pressing charges. IE.. in my town.. if yer not posted.. they won't cite tresspassers.. and even when they do.. it's only on the 2nd offense.. 1st offense, even on posted land is only a warning.. and only good for 1 year.. then resets as if they had not tresspassed, thus they can get another warning.. etc

Preble County Ohio has one sheriff. It's a big county. We kind of take care of things ourselves here.

 

[RoyJackson]

I am planning to let them take it up with the surveyor, if they have a problem with the line. I suppose if they are nasty with me after the survey, then the might have to find another place for their camping. If I dont hear anything from them, am I going to be safe just letting them use the property? I really dont like the idea of kicking people off unless it is absolutely necessary.

Well, if you say they can use the property for camping, cook outs, etc.; then you could be liable if they were injured...ask your homeowners insurance agent for advice.
But, those neighbors must acknowledge it's your property (once that's been settled).

 

[duke7595]

For now, while getting your surveyor lined up. It may not be a bad idea to to send these people a registered letter (return receipt included) .

Introduce yourself, your concerns pertaining to their unlawful use of your property, and in a nice way but them on notice.

The registered letter will serve as evidence that you are aware of their actions and it will record the time and date. These people probably don't even know you are the new owner.

JUST A THOUGHT, GOOD LUCK.

SINCERELY. DUKE

 

[powerpace]

In Oregon there are two locations I know that allow people to walk and bike through the property. They close each one of them once a year for a couple of days. This is required legally to let the public know that it is private property. Posted or no the closure is required.

 

[techwrtr2]

The gov agency I work for owns a street. It connects between two public streets and is open so regular traffic might use it, I gather they put it there so their equipment might more readily access main roads. It is still a private road however so every year, they close it for 24hrs or so. Sometimes it's for repairs/maintenance but usually it's to enforce their ownership of that space.

 

[TripleR]

Lots of good information and probably a situation some of us might be in without really knowing it.

 

[MarkV]

If the problem neighbors own a small lot just put up a fence where it joins your property. A lot cheaper than some of the other suggestions. If you decide to let them use it put in a gate. If they abuse it lock the gate.

MarkV