Property Disputes in Newark, 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 Newark, 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. Newark, 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

The Essex Civil Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey has jurisdiction over Newark property disputes.

Common Types of Newark, 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 Newark 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 Newark, New Jersey Property Disputes

Trees, branches, and roots can be a common source of Newark property disputes. While New Jersey does not have statutes that directly address these issues, the Supreme Court of New Jersey has several pertinent rulings. For example, you can typically trim branches that overhang your property. However, you can only cut up to the property line and must not damage the tree. In addition, under Newark City Code, you need a permit to trim or cut trees that grow on public property. Furthermore, if encroaching branches damage your property, you may have a viable nuisance action against your neighbor.

Another potential area of conflict is agricultural activities and their associated smells, sounds, and other inconveniences. New Jersey’s Right to Farm Act protects commercial agricultural operations from many nuisance lawsuits. However, the Act does not apply to non-commercial agriculture. For these disputes, Newark courts will look to City Nuisance Ordinances and Zoning Regulations.

Legal Process for Boundary Disputes In Newark, New Jersey

Has someone brought a property dispute against you in Newark, 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 Newark, 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.

Fences in Newark must adhere to City Zoning Standards. However, these vary depending on the type of property and fence location. For example, residential fences in backyards can be 5 feet high, but only 3 feet in front yards. Nevertheless, if the residence is adjacent to industrial property, the dividing fence can be 8 feet tall. Furthermore, Newark prohibits razor wire and barbed wire on all residential and commercial properties.

Try to Find a Solution with Your Neighbor

Property dispute litigation in Newark, 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 Newark 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 Newark, 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.

Your Newark property dispute is under the jurisdiction of the Essex Civil Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Work With an Experienced Local Property Dispute Lawyer In Newark, 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 Newark 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!