Lynda/WA
08-21-2001, 03:30 PM
This sort of ties in with the your home rights thread. In Washington there are laws still existing that allow you to claim land you have been using for 10 or more years.
Some recent examples - A man bought over 9 acres of land. While trying to figure out his property lines he hired a surveyor company. Turns out his neighbors on 3 sides were using part of his land. One had a garage half on his property. Because of the squatters laws the neighbors took him to court and were deeded the land. His land was reduced to 6 plus acres. I don't think he was paid for the land either.
In another case an industry allowed a large buffer zone around their complex. No fences just open space. They did that so the neighbors wouldn't be bothered by noise. The neighbors began using that area as an extention of their back yards. Putting up play equipment and such. Now the company sold the land and the new developers planned on using the land. The residents have gone to court to get the land saying they have rights since they have been using it.
What do you think?
Some recent examples - A man bought over 9 acres of land. While trying to figure out his property lines he hired a surveyor company. Turns out his neighbors on 3 sides were using part of his land. One had a garage half on his property. Because of the squatters laws the neighbors took him to court and were deeded the land. His land was reduced to 6 plus acres. I don't think he was paid for the land either.
In another case an industry allowed a large buffer zone around their complex. No fences just open space. They did that so the neighbors wouldn't be bothered by noise. The neighbors began using that area as an extention of their back yards. Putting up play equipment and such. Now the company sold the land and the new developers planned on using the land. The residents have gone to court to get the land saying they have rights since they have been using it.
What do you think?