How Land Surveyors Help Resolve Property Disputes

If you are a property owner you probably hope that you will never be involved in a property dispute. Having a clear sense of who owns each parcel of land is usually a given. However, disputes do arise on occasion. Property disputes can range from minor details to multi-million dollar disagreements.

Why Do Disputes Occur?

A property dispute usually takes place over boundaries. A boundary dispute occurs when there is either a level of uncertainty over a certain area. This can be due to discrepancies with deeds. It can also take place when an error has been made by a previous land surveyor.

Resolution

It is always good whenever possible, to try to bring about a resolution with your neighbor before the dispute escalates. The most serious disputes occur when the land has already been used for a construction project. The cost to remediate the situation is much higher at that point.

Step One

If the misunderstanding is minor, it is good to schedule a meeting with your neighbor. Many errors are solely based on communication mistakes. In some cases, you may be able to resolve the problem with a discussion. It is always a good idea to bring copies the disputed documents in order to put everything out on the table. These can include property surveys, plat maps, deeds and titles. The misunderstanding may be put to rest by reviewing the documents.

Land Surveyor

If an agreement has not been reached after a first meeting you can hire a land surveyor. Retaining professional land surveying services can help you to come to a common conclusion. A land surveyor is an objective professional that can review the documents and perform their own calculations.

Impartial Opinion.

A land surveyor is tasked with performing a role as a type of public officer. They are bound by their professional ethics to provide services that are uninfluenced by the interests of one specific client. They are not allowed to assume the role of an advocate and must remain unbiased. All surveys must be performed under guidelines of basic fairness. Certain procedures are followed in order to prevent surveyors from being influenced by their clients. This makes hiring a land surveyor a great option for those who want to settle a dispute out of court.

Finding A Professional

When hiring a property surveyor in Moose Jaw to help resolve a boundary dispute it is important to find a true professional. Look for a surveyor that has experience in handling property disputes. Feel free to ask them how they deal with the dispute while remaining impartial. It is also important to check their credentials. Find out if they are completely up to date on the latest techniques and procedures. Ask about how often they service their equipment in order to keep it functioning well. You can also ask if they participate in any continuing education opportunities. It is important to agree with your neighbor on the quality of the surveyor hired. This will help both parties to accept the results.

Dustin Miller is the president of Milltek Surveys Limited. His firm offers residential and commercial land surveying services in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. To ensure that you have the most accurate land survey, please visit http://www.millteksurveys.com/