Neighbor doesn't want me to farm.

[TomSeller]

The goobermint owns the land and allows you to use it at a price.

Yeah, there us a reason tax collectors stopped going to houses to collect. Too bad they don't still do that. It wouldn't be as easy to raise rates.

 

[von-mil]

I must be the last to know...Can someone tell me how to sign up for the TBN Newsletter? :confused3: I found this page, but when I click the "Join" link I get an error message saying it's invalid: TractorByNet.com | FREE Newsletter

The page in your link looks obsolete to me - with the AOL reference and the 2002 copyright mark at the bottom.

The newsletter comes out once a month and gets e-mailed to the address I used when I signed up for TBN. I don't remember if I had to request the newsletter or if it just comes automatically.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Your good intentions are paving a road to ****. I played Mr. nice guy with two neighbors. One with ATV's and one with tree planting, wood piles and gardens. The ATV guy put up a fence and claimed my property was his because they had been using it and their real estate agent told them it was theirs. About the same with the trees and gardens just no fence.
I recommend being firm with all neighbors. Do not allow occasional use or trading of property. Be happy with what you have, use it as you see fit (including your buffer zone) and don't worry about what they think about you.
In a very short time you will create better neighbors that respect you. :thumbsup:

Here in N.H. it's called Adverse Possession. Someone uses/maintains your property for a period of time, they can then claim it as theirs in a sort of homesteading manner. Of course then they need to pay taxes on it, and you can then claim the town owes you a refund on the taxes you paid. If I were you, I'd clear your land right up to the property line, and put a big fence up along it.

 

[Xfaxman]

I must be the last to know...Can someone tell me how to sign up for the TBN Newsletter? :confused3: I found this page, but when I click the "Join" link I get an error message saying it's invalid: TractorByNet.com | FREE Newsletter

I got the same error message.

I tried to find the sign up page last year, no luck.

 

[turnkey4099]

Here in N.H. it's called Adverse Possession. Someone uses/maintains your property for a period of time, they can then claim it as theirs in a sort of homesteading manner. Of course then they need to pay taxes on it, and you can then claim the town owes you a refund on the taxes you paid. If I were you, I'd clear your land right up to the property line, and put a big fence up along it.

One can be a good neighbor and allow them to use your land BUT: Get it in writing and renew it about every 5 years. That stops adverse position in its tracks. The basic position in claiming AP is that a. I have used it x number of years. b. The owner knew or should have known. c. They did nothing about it.

The "knew or should have known' is pretty universal

I was involved in such a case and acquired an adjoining, abandoned school lot through it. There was a bit of cooperation between me, school board members and the tax man though. It was the only way to get a good title and get it back on the tax rolls.

Harry K

 

[Jstpssng]

Adverse possession comes up for discussion occasionally here, but it really isn't as easy as it sounds. You need to do it openly for a period of years, while the landowner is aware yet makes no attempt to stop your use.

It's getting a lot of mileage here lately as new oceanfront landowners try to restrict beach access which has been used publicly or semi publicly for decades.

 

[two_bit_score]

Most often it's true that no good deed goes unpunished.

.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I directly responded to the email today. Flatly stated that I appreciate their concerns but I'm clearing the land to plant apples. Also pointed out that I increased the space between their homesite and the cutline. Made sure to use verbiage that clearly stated this was my utilization of my land. Pointed out that I had marked boundary all around my land with a combination of no trespassing signs and aluminum colored paint as specified by Virginia law to mark the boundary and indicate no trespassing. Also pointed out that since they had built so close to the property line, I had marked the area around their homestead with only paint because I was being considerate and didn't want to create a visually intrusive feeling with a bright yellow no trespassing signs or a fence 20 feet from their house. Used a few suggestions from this thread such as assuring them that all spraying will be in accordance with law. I believe I have clearly defined the boundaries....both on the land and between them and us and been more than considerate. Don't know how they will receive it. I tried not to waste words but it was still 4 paragraphs. I've wasted enough time on this. Thanks again to all who weighed in on this. It gave me much to think about in how to deal with this issue.

 

[TomSeller]

Well it doesn't sound like you left much out. Good luck, let's hope they drop it.

 

[teejk]

Adverse possession comes up for discussion occasionally here, but it really isn't as easy as it sounds. You need to do it openly for a period of years, while the landowner is aware yet makes no attempt to stop your use.

It's getting a lot of mileage here lately as new oceanfront landowners try to restrict beach access which has been used publicly or semi publicly for decades.

I think you'll find that there is no uniformity amongst states in terms of how long the use has to continue and what constitutes "use" (e.g. last I looked here use as a driveway wasn't enough). The internet is helpful but sometimes you have to call the lawyer. I've never figured out why these laws still exist.