Areas of Law / Property

I live in a semi-detached house and have driven over next door’s land to get to my house for about 35 years. As the neighbours are relatives I never asked permission and no-one ever objected. Eight years ago I gave the house to my daughter. Now next door is up for sale and the estate agent says that the 20 years’ use rule was lost when I transferred the property. Does this rule apply to the individual or to property?

It’s likely that you will have acquired the right to drive over the land by “prescription”. This right can be taken over by future owners of a property: it is not connected to the individual. You should ask your relatives to write a letter confirming that you did this without permission or secrecy.

Area of law: Property

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We bought our house three years ago and were told by the seller that the strip of land opposite belonged to the property. We found it was not on the deeds but the sellers maintained it for over 40 years and put large stones around it painted white. How do we prove ownership if anyone ever asks? We do have an aerial photo dated 1997.

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