My son bought a cottage over 12 years ago. The previous owner told him that the land down the side came with the cottage, even though it was fenced off. However when he put in plans for an extension the council said it was their land and offered to sell it to him for £1800. If he can’t claim the land, can my son bill the council for keeping it tidy?
The fact that the land was fenced off will tend to weigh against your son making a successful claim to own it. Of course your son should have checked the deeds together with his solicitor when he bought the cottage in the first place to find out exactly what he was buying. He should discuss this with a solicitor in more detail now.