Real Estate Law · Haute Lawyer Network
What Is a Boundary Dispute Between Neighbors?
Last reviewed: June 2026
A boundary dispute occurs when neighboring property owners disagree about the location of the legal boundary between their properties. Disputes can arise from imprecise legal descriptions in old deeds, inconsistencies in recorded surveys, encroachments — where a fence, building, or improvement crosses the legal boundary — or adverse possession claims.
Boundary disputes can affect property values, development plans, and neighbor relationships. Resolving them typically starts with a professional land survey establishing the legal boundary based on the recorded deeds and surveying monuments.
If the survey establishes the boundary but a neighbor refuses to acknowledge it, the options are negotiation, mediation, and ultimately litigation — often a quiet title action or an action for ejectment to remove an encroachment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out where my property line is?
Commission a new survey from a licensed land surveyor who will review the recorded deeds, search for survey monuments, and produce a precise boundary map. Old surveys may be outdated or imprecise.
What is an encroachment?
A structure, fence, wall, or improvement that crosses onto a neighboring property. Encroachments can arise from a fence installed in the wrong location, a building addition that extends over the property line, or tree roots or overhanging branches.
What is an agreed boundary?
When neighboring owners have treated a particular line as the boundary for a long period — even if it differs from the legal description — some states recognize an agreed boundary doctrine that gives legal effect to the practical boundary.
What if my neighbor built a fence on my property?
You have the right to require removal of the encroachment. If the neighbor refuses, you can file for ejectment — a court order requiring removal — and seek damages for any harm caused by the encroachment.
Can I build right up to my property line?
Depends on local zoning setback requirements, which specify minimum distances from property lines for structures. Even if you own to a certain line, zoning may prohibit building within a specified setback distance.
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