Word Watch · Term 08 of 30 · 0:53

Encroachment

ProductionIllustrated Click2CE lesson; AI-assisted production with Sarah narration

In brief

An encroachment occurs when an improvement extends across a property boundary onto another parcel.

Example

Follow a fence or building across the boundary and distinguish that physical intrusion from an established right to use land.

TranscriptRead along, or select a timestamp to jump there
  1. Two neighboring properties.
  2. A shed near the boundary.
  3. The question is not simply where the fence
  4. or hedge appears to be.
  5. The question is where the actual property line
  6. lies.
  7. Look at this simplified plan.
  8. The dashed line represents the boundary.
  9. Part of the shed extends across it, into
  10. the neighboring lot.
  11. That physical intrusion is an encroachment.
  12. Compare it with an easement.
  13. An easement is a legal right to use
  14. another's land.
  15. An encroachment describes something physically crossing a boundary.
  16. One does not automatically create the other or
  17. transfer ownership.
  18. A survey can help locate the intrusion; documents
  19. and applicable law help determine the rights.
  20. Quick check:
  21. a shed crosses the property line.
  22. What describes the physical condition?
  23. Encroachment.

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