Q: I purchased a vacant residential lot at a tax auction. The neighbor removed the fence on their property that faced my lo
I purchased a vacant residential lot at a tax auction. The neighbor removed the fence on their property that faced my lot and installed a new fence at the front of my property with a gate. I want to remove the fence they installed and gain access to my land.
What should I do? Should I hire a contractor, involve the police, send a letter, file a lawsuit, or do all of the above?
A: You will need a survey of the property that will show encroachment onto your vacant lot as a result of the installed fence. If there is encroachment, that subjects the neighboring owner to civil claims to quiet title, partition of real property, ejectment, trespass, injunctive relief, and other potentially applicable causes of action. You should retain counsel as soon as possible to ensure your property rights are protected.
Barbara Billiot Stage agrees with this answer
A: The previous answer correctly suggests some of the measures that might be done. But as I read the question, the new fence is not on the neighbors' property but on the property of the person who asked the question, and blocks access, presumably from the street.
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