“[They] Have No Permits For It”: Neighbors Built Illegal House On This Person’s Newly Bought Land

The need to delimit territories has been around for a long time – after all, even the ancients rightly noted that “my home is my castle.” But if earlier disputes over land plots often ended in family feuds for decades, today, it would seem, there are enough technical and legal ways to avoid anyproblems…

And yet, here’s yet another similar story from the useru/driftpeppers, who once bought a house, and then the county assessor expressed the opinion that the neighbors had managed to build several buildings on part of their territory.

More info:Reddit

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The author of the post bought a house in a rural area in California – and faced some land-related issues soon after

Image credits:prostooleh / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The county assessor expressed an opinion that the neighbors’ house and garage were, in fact, partially built on the author’s plot

Image credits:driftpeppers

Image credits:freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The sellers, however, kept silent about these possible issues – they didn’t say a word neither before the deal nor after it

Image credits:Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)

According to neighborhood hearsay, the author even suspects the sellers of colluding with neighbors against them

So the newly minted homeowner took it online seeking some advice from the netizens

Yes, the county assessor reported that, in their opinion, the neighbors’ house is located right on the OP’s territory. And that the original poster, as the new owner of this plot, will now have to either put up with the de facto loss of part oftheir property, or take some legal action.

What is important is that thishouse, according to the planning office, doesn’t exist. But it does exist in reality, even with a garage and a fence, “eating away” about 0.6 acres of land belonging to the author. At least, according to the assessor. And this is about 10% of the land that the OP owns.

The house can also be seen on Google Maps, and it seems that the only place where it cannot be seen is the official real estate registers. The author, not without reason, suspects that thesellersof the plot deliberately kept silent about this situation. And, perhaps, even colluded with the neighbors. At least, the OP draws this conclusion based on some neighborhood hearsay.

Image credits:Curtis Adams / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Well, the main advice that can be given in this case is – if you are sure that you are right, simply take legal action. At least because the construction of buildings without anypermitentails liability not only under the laws of California, but also almost all over the world.

“Failure to obtain a building permit is a violation of Contractors License Law. Further, construction performed without a permit can expose a homeowner to additional liability and costs,” the Contractors State License Boardofficial websiteclaims.

“If you suspect a violation has occurred, please fill out a Building Permit Violation Referral form. CSLB will contact the contractor regarding the permit allegation and take the appropriate disciplinary action,” the same source says. So this is probably almost the first action that the author should take. Well, and, of course, contacting their lawyer too.

And, of course, no one should neglect the services of a land surveyor – especially considering that the original poster themselves notes that their property is in a rural area, where demarcation is often more difficult.

Other responders also believe that a land survey is quite critical here. “You need to get a survey, then if it shows the neighbor is on your land you need to talk to a lawyer,” is roughly the brief plan of action that commenters advise the original poster. And have you, our dear readers, ever encountered a similar problem in your own life experience?

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