Council Land

[col72]

Own a house next to a bit of council land it is not much can I adopt it or will I have to buy it council cut it about every 4 months and people use it as a dogs bog

[Buenchico]

You can only acquire title to the land, free of charge, by 'adverse possession' if you fence it (or otherwise prevent the general public from sharing in its use) AND use it for some purpose for a period of at least TEN YEARS without challenge from the council.

Full details of the adverse possession rules are contained within this document:
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/guides/public-guide-16

Otherwise you'll have to seek to buy it.

Chris

[col72]

Thanks chris

[boxtops]

If the council are looking after it, they know it's theirs.....

[Valmave]

Do a search of the index map at Land Registry. If it is registered you will know exactly who owns it. There is no charge for small sized searches, but send in a decent plan. Previously quoted website will give more details.

[cassa333]

The op knows it is council land so a search, unless he is wrong, wouldn't be of much help and cost a tenner to boot.

What you have to ask yourself is .. What local amenity would be lost? and if it was what would the impact be.

What could you do with the land once in your ownership? If it is to build an extention then a hefty price might be put on it.

If it is roadside then they could well let you buy/have it but could put a no building clause on it and that could include no fences.

In other words they could let you have it but make you keep it as it is. All you would be gaining is the upkeep of it.

[flyciderman]

Why not ring the council and ask to buy it?