There are many reasons why people may wish to buy land. You may wish to build property on that land or use it to build a commercial premise. Some people may wish to buy the land so that they can add an extension to an existing property or to prevent someone else building extensions or encroaching on their property. Whatever the reason, it is important to be aware of the legal issues around land acquisition.
Check it is available
This may sound obvious, but it is important to check that the land is available for sale. While it may seem simple, sometimes a person may be selling something that they are not in the position to offer it. Checking with the Land Registry will allow you to ascertain whether or not the land you are looking to buy is actually available.
In some cases, the land may be unregistered, in which case it will be easier to purchase.
Objection
In some cases, a person may apply in writing in order to object to someone acquiring land. It may be possible for the person raising the objection to reach an agreement with the person purchasing the land. The agreement may result in the purchase continuing or the objection being cancelled.
A good example of an objection would be environmental concerns- if it is felt that a new property built on the land could affect the local environment, this may affect the purchase. Another example might be on moral grounds- recent concerns about health has led to people calling for takeaways built a certain distance away from schools.
Restrictions
Before buying land, it is worth checking to see if there are any restrictions. For example, if you are looking to develop property, there may be agreements in place, such as an ancient agreement where neighbours are allowed to graze their horses on the land.
There is also the issue of boundaries on neighbouring land. This is both in the legal sense, where there is an invisible line that marks out where the land begins and ends but also in the physical sense when the boundary is marked out by fences or walls. It is important to ascertain what you would be responsible regarding these boundaries in order to avoid any disagreements.
Doing it right
It is important to know what you are buying, whether the land is available for you to buy, and what you can do once you have purchased the land. One way to avoid issues is to discuss any plans with neighbours, so they are aware of what you are doing before you apply for planning permission or make a purchase.
In order to do this properly, it is worth talking to a legal professional who specialises in purchasing land. For more information or to discuss your personal circumstances in more detail, please contact us today so we can get you in touch with our specialists who will be able to guide you through the process.