GWguy
*
I had this link saved. Maybe it will help you review the property lines before calling a surveyor.
https://mdlandrec.net/main/index.cfm
https://mdlandrec.net/main/index.cfm
St. Mary's GIS
- Thread starter sm8
- Start date
LightRoasted
If I may ...
If I may ...
Have a surveyor come out and stake just the property line in question, not your whole lot. It's not that expensive. Maybe about $250. Then, take your neighbor to small claims court for compensation of the garden, and to have them re-mediate the land back to the way it was. Then move your fence to the line, set it back about 3-6 inches from the line towards the inside of of your lot. It is best to nip this type of dispute in the bud before is gets out of control, which they can. There are also lines called BRL, or "building restriction lines" and "rights of way". I don't believe your neighbor may widen their driveway all the way to the property line. There has to be a buffer. If you do not flex your property rights standing, you can lose this fight. Silence is acquiescence.
Have a surveyor come out and stake just the property line in question, not your whole lot. It's not that expensive. Maybe about $250. Then, take your neighbor to small claims court for compensation of the garden, and to have them re-mediate the land back to the way it was. Then move your fence to the line, set it back about 3-6 inches from the line towards the inside of of your lot. It is best to nip this type of dispute in the bud before is gets out of control, which they can. There are also lines called BRL, or "building restriction lines" and "rights of way". I don't believe your neighbor may widen their driveway all the way to the property line. There has to be a buffer. If you do not flex your property rights standing, you can lose this fight. Silence is acquiescence.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Yea that, and if you ever decide to sell it could be very difficult when times comes to do all the bs paperwork with the county.
Goldenhawk
Well-Known Member
This.
Be firm, but be polite. It's absolutely worth the few hundred dollars to know for sure. If nothing else, you will have trouble if/when you sell the house and your neighbor has structures, driveway, or goods on your property.
If you find that the flower bed WAS yours, politely request that he repair it. If he did blacktop your property, it will be his responsibility to remove it at his expense. Don't bring up the whole small claims or lawsuit thing at first; make a good faith effort to resolve it peacefully. If his work was done without proper permits, mention that fact in an offhand fashion, and you'll probably get a bit better compliance if he's afraid you'll notify the county. But if he won't budge, definitely go to Planning and Zoning. I can testify, based on a similar situation in our neighborhood, that he will be REQUIRED to remove the offending and unpermitted features.
I believe you CAN run a driveway right up to the property line. But I believe you must have proper permits for such work, particularly regarding installation of non-permeable surfaces.
The GIS maps are fairly worthless about exact locations. However, I believe you can easily get a actual survey plat of your property from Planning and Zoning. That won't locate the stakes in your yard but it will prove actual dimensions, and probably be good enough to help you find the existing stakes.
Just my 2 cents, may have been mentioned, but the only sure way to know is to hire a surveyor to mark the boundaries of your property.
There should be a stake, or a reference point from the original survey when the lots were first documented. You might be able to find that.
There should be a stake, or a reference point from the original survey when the lots were first documented. You might be able to find that.
merc669
New Member
We had that issue a few years back. We went and had a 4 corner survey completed on the property. At the time it was roughly 7 or 800 dollars for this. But it makes a difference when you have those stakes in the ground and also have it filed with Planning Zoning at the Courthouse. I think you better do a survey and get some peace of mind. If he/they are on your property then you have every right to force them to move things....Also normally on a new subdivision a plat is filed to show boundaries along with any variances. I 4 corners or in-depth survey will supercede that platt and make sure it is filed as I said earlier for yourselves but if you sell the house then the future buyers.
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SD1492
New Member
If you go to http://www.dat.state.md.us look under REAL PROPERTY TAB (Black line area). Then under "Links for Property Search Users" to the first tab (Real Property Search) select you county and the do street address (it's usally the easist way to find your property). Do NOT put Dr., Ct., etc. just the road name i.e. Ringwood Dr. put Ringwood only.
at the tax assememt page that will come up it should have if your lucky at PLAT number something like 43/362 or 43 362.
Then do to this web site http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagser/s1500/s1529/html/0000.html
Go to St. Mary's County or whatever county you in go the the first bullet hyperlink. At tghe next page you will see Book No. ___ and Page No. ____ but the 43 next to book and 362 next to Page. If there's a plat you can look at it and find your property. The plat should have all boundry lines, BRL, setbacks, Iron Rods (Property corners) etc.
If you get this print it out and go see if you can find a property corner and work your way around the property based on the plat.
good luck.
at the tax assememt page that will come up it should have if your lucky at PLAT number something like 43/362 or 43 362.
Then do to this web site http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagser/s1500/s1529/html/0000.html
Go to St. Mary's County or whatever county you in go the the first bullet hyperlink. At tghe next page you will see Book No. ___ and Page No. ____ but the 43 next to book and 362 next to Page. If there's a plat you can look at it and find your property. The plat should have all boundry lines, BRL, setbacks, Iron Rods (Property corners) etc.
If you get this print it out and go see if you can find a property corner and work your way around the property based on the plat.
good luck.
Nope. It is an older neighborhood built in the 80's
Your directions worked, I was able to find the plat map. I know what my summer project will be, I am going to borrow my uncles metal detector and see if I can find the stake.
Goldenhawk
Well-Known Member
glhs837
Power with Control
Agreed, pony up for a real survey.
GWguy
*
I was talking with my neighbor who used to deal in real estate issues like this. After the property line is firmly known, the "bad" neighbor has one of two choices: Buy out the piece of property he claims from the real owner. The tax burden is then also shifted to him if he buys it, or return the property to it's original condition. But you have to have a definitive survey or platt.
belvak
Happy Camper
We extended a fence on our property several years ago and couldn't locate any markers in the back of the lot, so we had a survey done where they shot metal markers into the ground. Can't remember how much it cost, but I remember thinking it was reasonable. We used Chesapeake Trails in Leonardtown.
LightRoasted
If I may ...
If I may ...
That opens a whole other can of worms. Unless the property is owned free and clear, the property owner has to get permission form the mortgage holder, then that little piece of land would have to be surveyed out to be created as a single lot or what's called a residue lot. Almost just like creating a little subdivision. Then, if the buyer wants, they'll have to combine that little lot into the main lot to have just one property tax bill. Big, big, huge expense.
Vince
......
Had my property surveyed before I built the house. I know where all the stakes are and where the property lines are located. Do not let him put a driveway on your property.
Vince
......
What they said. Have to get a real survey. Can't remember who did mine, but I still have the paperwork.