Property Disputes in Edison, NJ
Property disputes in New Jersey are common between neighbors. They even occur between companies and governments. People want to protect what is legally theirs, but sometimes the boundary lines are not clear.
Find out what you can do if you have a property dispute in Edison, New Jersey. Discover the legal remedies and actions that can help you clear up a misunderstanding, arrange a settlement, or manage an issue involving your property.
What Is a Property Dispute?
Property disputes are legal disputes that involve real estate, including single-family homes, apartments, roads, condominiums, and ponds. Edison, NJ property disputes can involve a wide range of parties, which might include some of the following:
- Neighbors
- Homeowners’ association
- Landlords and tenants
- Family members
- Trespassers
- Property visitors
- Government agencies
Property disputes in Edison generally fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court of Edison Township. If you are facing a property dispute, this is most likely where your case will begin.
Common Types of Edison, New Jersey Property Disputes
It’s important to know about common disputes to understand your circumstances. The most common property disputes often include:
- Disputes between neighbors regarding where property lines exist
- Disputes between landlords and tenants regarding who is at fault for damage to the property
- Homeowners and real estate developers disagreeing over who is responsible for repairs on construction
- People blocking their neighbor’s view via a “spite fence” or another structure specifically made to annoy their neighbor
- Disputes between mortgage lenders and creditors over who can foreclose a property and who receives the proceeds of a sale
- Disputes between homeowners and government agencies about whether they have a utility easement
- Ownership disputes about who is the rightful owner of a property
- Issues with zoning
Beyond these examples, you may find other situations in Edison where a property dispute occurs. In general, if you own land, you have to constantly watch out for it and ensure that others are not using it illegally or trying to claim it as their own.
Understanding Typical Edison, New Jersey Property Disputes
It is illegal for a resident of Edison to enter another’s property and remove a tree or tree limbs without express permission from the property owner. In addition, Edison Municipal Code states that you must receive proper permits from the township in order to remove a tree. Furthermore, agricultural lands and agricultural productions are protected in Edison under the New Jersey Right to Farm Act. If a nuisance suit is filed against farming or agricultural operations, it will be dismissed by the courts.
Legal Process for Boundary Disputes In Edison, New Jersey
Has someone brought a property dispute against you in Edison, or are you starting a property dispute against someone else? If so, you need to understand the legal process you will go through. This process begins with understanding the issue at hand.
Understand the Boundary Issue
To understand the specific boundary dispute, you’ll have to do the following things:
- Complete a land survey to locate the exact boundary of your home as outlined in the legal description of the deed. This survey will help you understand your property and how much of your land is encroached.
- Conduct an appraisal to learn the exact market value of the piece of property that is in dispute.
- Do a title search to find all of the documents in the chain of title of your Edison, NJ property. The title search will show if any deeds may affect your ownership.
These things will likely have happened when you purchased the home. If that’s the case, the documents you already have should suffice unless the case goes to court.
Edison Fencing Laws state that as long as a property is not located within a residential area, fencing is allowed in both the front, side, and back yards. If fencing is erected in a residential zone, no fence in a front yard is permitted to stand more than four feet high. Fencing around any residential parcel is not allowed to be more than six feet high.
Try to Find a Solution with Your Neighbor
Property dispute litigation in Edison, New Jersey can cost a fortune, not to mention it can take a long time to settle a dispute. Therefore, it’s important to open a discussion between you and your neighbor. If you can reach an agreement and settle the dispute without going to court, you can save time and money.
Try to communicate directly with your neighbor. You can attempt sending a letter, email, making a phone call, or visiting their home if that’s a safe option.
If no progress happens and it’s clear that you and your neighbor are still on completely different pages, at this point, you should consider hiring an attorney to assist you. They can help you understand if you have legal grounds upon which to stand. If you do, then you can send a demand letter.
Sending a Demand Letter
This letter will be from your Edison attorney to your neighbor, and it will outline the property dispute. It will give your neighbor the option to respond via a requested action, or it will provide a reasonable price for settling the dispute out of court.
Your neighbor will likely forward this letter to their attorney to better understand the boundary dispute. From there, the attorneys on both sides will decide the best course of action moving forward.
Going to Court or Reaching a Settlement
Typically, the best option for both sides is to settle the dispute out of court to avoid costly litigation fees. But if your negotiations are going nowhere, it might be necessary to file the dispute with the court. The court will then look closely at the evidence presented and determine who owns the Edison, NJ property in question. Keep in mind the court’s decision is legally binding. You may not agree with it, or it may not be exactly the result you wanted to see. That is why it’s typically in your best interest to settle.
The Municipal Court of Edison Township is most likely where you will file if you decide to retain the services of an experienced attorney in Edison. However, there is a chance that you could go before the State Superior Court. An experienced attorney can help you navigate which is best for your case.
Work With an Experienced Local Property Dispute Lawyer In Edison, New Jersey
When it comes to property disputes, you should work with an experienced property dispute lawyer. Whether you’re filing a property dispute against your neighbor or you are defending a dispute brought against you, you’ll need a lawyer that understands Edison property law on your side. An experienced lawyer can help you settle before taking the dispute to court, which will save you both time and money. We can even help you connect with an attorney across New Jersey state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!
Do you have a different legal concern that requires the help of a lawyer? We have a network of attorneys for any area of law you may need in Edison.