<span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="color:#2d2d2d;">Hi Sally - We cannot tell you the precise measurement or location of your physical boundary as that would be going beyond the remit of HM Land Registry.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color:black;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;">The title plan is based on the Ordnance Survey map and shows the position of a property in relation to the walls, fences, roads etc. shown on that map. The red lines indicating the boundaries reflect the Ordnance Survey map and indicate the general position of the boundary fences and walls. The ‘<i>guarantee of title</i>’ offered by Land Registry means that no document apart from the register is needed to establish your ownership. It does not mean that Land Registry guarantees the precise amount of land you own. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">England and Wales operates a 'general boundaries' system of land registration.  A title plan with 'general boundaries' shows the boundary of a property in relation to a given physical feature on the ground such as a wall or hedge as identified on the Ordnance Survey map.  This is because when a property is first registered:</span></span></span>
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<li style="margin-bottom:13px;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">the title deeds rarely give precise legal boundaries</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:13px;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">often owners do not know where they are</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:13px;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">finding out the exact position of the legal boundaries at the time of registration can be expensive and may lead to unnecessary disputes. </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">The physical boundary is a feature that can be seen, such as a fence, wall or a hedge. The legal boundary may follow any physical boundary structure but might just as easily run along one particular side of the fence, wall or hedge, or include all or part of any adjoining roadway or stream.</span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">Every property has precise legal boundaries.  These are the invisible lines separating the land owned by one person from that owned by a neighbour. They may or may not coincide with the physical boundary features on the ground like fences or walls and are not shown on Ordnance Survey maps.  The title deeds rarely identify the legal boundaries.  The owner probably does not know where they are and having to find out their position of the legal boundaries at the time of registration of the property could be expensive and lead to unnecessary disputes.  </span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">The red edging on a Land Registry title plan is therefore not definitive as to the precise position of the boundaries. For this reason official copies of title plans carry the following warning.</span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">“This title plan shows the general position of the boundaries: it does not show the exact line of the boundaries. Measurements scaled from this plan may not match measurements between the same points on the ground.”</span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">This is a clear statement that Land Registry is unable to tell you precisely where a property boundary is located.  </span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="line-height:115%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;">You should not rely on the Title Plan to scale any measurements that might be stated in your Title Deeds.  Paper maps (particularly copy maps included in deeds) can be subject to distortions and inaccuracies, as any copying processes (such as photocopying) can lead to the distortions in the map image.<br>
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You should consider seeking legal advice, either from a solicitor or Citizens Advice, before taking any action. </span></span></span>