What to Know About Disputing Property Lines in Florida
In the Sunshine State, where the real estate market is as dynamic as its weather, understanding property lines is crucial for homeowners and investors alike. If you are a property owner, you are more than likely aware of the strict boundary lines around your estate.
Whether you’re in a dense community with dozens of surrounding properties or have acres of land that you tend to, it is important to understand the laws and regulations regarding your property lines. As seasoned real estate lawyers in the state of Florida, here are keen insights about disputing property lines and the laws behind them.
Understanding Property Lines
By definition, property lines are the invisible borders that mark where your property ends and someone else’s begins. These are important because they legally recognize and protect you from being responsible for anything that happens outside your property.
These laws affect issues like fallen trees and debris removal, fence placements, farming restrictions and regulations, and much more.
Property lines are established by a surveyor during the purchase or sale of a property. It is important to know these boundaries in the event a dispute arises.
Common Property Line Disputes
Property line disputes are common in the State of Florida. Whether boundaries are dated or incorrect from decades-old surveys, new developments encroaching upon a property or simply a neighbor-to-neighbor dispute, it is important to hire a skilled real estate lawyer who can mitigate between the opposing parties.
Florida’s property laws can be dicey. One important aspect is the reliance on official property surveys to establish legal boundaries. These surveys are crucial in court cases and negotiations.
Some of the most common disputes involve:
Fence Placements – Adjoining landowners are under no legal obligation to put up fences dividing their land. If one landowner does decide to build a boundary fence, the adjoining landowner is not obligated to share in this expense unless it was agreed to in advance.
Tree Trimming – Your legal right to trim branches hanging over your property line will depend on the health of the tree. If the tree is healthy, you may, at your own expense, trim back branches up to the property line. Your neighbor won’t necessarily be liable for healthy branches falling on your land. On the other hand, if the branches are dead, it’s your neighbor’s responsibility to maintain them, or possibly be liable for damage caused to your land by falling branches.
Land Ownership – Boundary lines are established by a surveyor and can be reestablished by another survey. If there is a dispute on the legitimacy of the survey, a real estate lawyer may be needed to settle the ownership dispute.
Hire Bonaquist | Allen Law
If you have a property line dispute in Southwest Florida, hire the skilled real estate attorneys at Bonaquist | Allen Law.
With over 40 years of experience in the Southwest Florida market, Bonaquist | Allen is the name you can trust to settle a property line dispute and or any other real estate matter including rental disagreements, deposit disputes or fight for your right to fair housing.
Our accomplished attorneys are also experts in purchase and sale transactions, commercial leases, real estate tax issues and more.
Located in Naples, our local real estate lawyers know and love this community. In fact, our attorneys are a part of numerous civic and professional boards and associations including the Collier Building Industry Association.
Our team will use our real estate connections, experience and skills to make sure you receive the justice you deserve.
As a small firm, your case will be the top priority as we are committed to serving you and your real estate needs. Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or leasing – trust Bonaquist | Allen as your Naples real estate lawyer.
Contact our office today at 239-276-7127 or by visiting BonaquistAllenLaw.com.