How do I claim adverse possession myself?

Hi, I have been using a garage for 28 years, we have replaced the roof. I became the owner ( I thought) of the garage after I had rewired the then owners cottage and brought her son a car. I have a Singed letter from her stating these facts dated 1998. (She owned the cottage/garage for 10 year before she transferred the garage to me. She does mention in the letter the name of the previous owner of the cottage/garage. I have now looked up the land registry and it has the previous owners name (the owner before her). Question would this be a straight forward application for myself to do? I can obtain witness statements from various neighbours Thank you your help in advance Malcolm

Hi Malcolm - such claims rely on legal complexities and it's important to confirm that you have a legal claim before applying to register. The legal requirements come before the registration ones and legal advice is highly recommended. Our PGs 4 and 5 explain how to make an application - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/land-registration-practice-guides#guides-1-to-10

Hi Adam, thank you for your reply, I have read 4 and 5 and I have used the garage for 28 years so it says that gives me the right to claim? Kind regards Malcolm

Malcolm - 'time' is a key legal requirement so most likely a Yes re making an application to register your claim. But there's a lot more to it than simply time and it's very much as explained in the PGs with regards how you have taken possession and demonstrated that fact also

Hi Adam, I still have the letter, I cant see what else I would need, may I ask you to point to anything particular to my situation. Kind regards Malcolm

Malcolm - a 'letter' on it's own won't be sufficient. You need to set out the facts in a statement of truth as explained in the appropriate guide. You really do need legal advice here as to what's legally relevant and what's not. We can't advise you on your particular situation as this is all about the law and whether you satisfy that re your claim as to ownership. If you do, and your legal adviser can advise, you can put together an application to apply to register your claim as appropriate

Thank you Adam for your advise Kind regards Malcolm