It never hurts to know the legal description of your property. Perhaps you are thinking of subdividing? Or perhaps you have encountered some zoning issues? Maybe you just want to have a greater understanding of your land to make improvements?

Regardless of the reason behind your professional boundary survey, the benefits are wide and varied.

Let’s take a look at some of the outstanding benefits of having your property surveyed below…

You want to know the boundary lines

One of the most common reasons property owners have their land surveyed is to know the location of the boundary lines and other property lines. These are important legal boundaries of possession or occupation that are critical to making home adjustments like paving the driveway, adding an extra room or building a fence.

Property owners often find that they and their neighbours had the wrong idea regarding their property lines, with the boundary line placed in the wrong location. Therefore, it’s important to check the lines before you build that fence that is either encroaching on your neighbour’s property or giving them too much land!

A boundary survey will be able to tell you if the legal description of your property is fair and accurate.

Subdividing

Perhaps you are considering subdividing your property and need to be sure that you’re not encroaching on others’ land or giving too much valuable land to your neighbours. A boundary survey is a vital task to undertake before subdividing a property as it will detail exactly where you can develop new structures.

Gaps, gores & overlaps

These issues often arise with boundary line certification, and most surveys will include a statement detailing whether there are issues with the boundaries of your property and your neighbours’ properties. This can also help you understand the boundaries if your home is located close to roads, highways or alleyways.

Property improvements

Your boundary surveyor will typically certify that the buildings and other alterations, improvements and repairs that are in existence when the survey takes place are not in violation of any laws or council restrictions.

Typical restrictions include:

• Bulk

• Building lines

• Height

• Frontage

• Set-backs

• Dimension

• Frontage
  

If the surveyor finds that any alterations, improvements and repairs are out of accordance with law or other restrictions, they will put your property on notice for ceasing the work being done.

Abandoned roads, easements & rights-of-way

Boundary surveys can tell you all the conditions imposed by law that are reflected in agreements like the title report. For example, if your property is encroaching on your neighbour’s access to the road, they may be entitled to cross your land to get to the street. This is called an “easement” and should be public record.

Natural elements

A typical boundary survey will be able to detail surface waters including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wells. For wetlands and underground waters, it is best to enlist the services of a specified surveyor that works in these industries.

Encroachments, joint driveways, party walls, projections, overhangs & rights-of-support

You might not know this, and perhaps it doesn’t apply to you, but you might have to support your neighbour’s driveway by keeping yours in a good state. A survey is important here as it can provide the legal documents to have you covered in case of a dispute.

They are important for homeowners

As you can see, there are so many benefits to having your boundaries surveyed. You can understand the legal description of your property, as well as a detailed understanding of its lines. Finally, you will know if any work you are undertaking/about to undertake is out of accordance with law or local restrictions.