Property Disputes in Syracuse, NY

Property disputes in New York 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 Syracuse, New York. 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. Syracuse, NY 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 Syracuse Court of Claims has jurisdiction over many of the property dispute cases in the city. If you are a resident of Syracuse facing a property dispute, this is most likely where you will file.

Common Types of Syracuse, New York 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 disagree 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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse, New York Property Disputes

Syracuse property owners are held liable if a fallen limb causes injury or damage. A property owner’s insurance carrier has to pay restitution, as well as defend the property owner if someone decides to sue. Still, the New York Senate states that it is illegal to go to someone’s property and cut down any tree or shrub without express permission, regardless of overhang.

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets affirms that farmlands and agricultural lands in Syracuse are protected by right to farm legislation. These laws protect agricultural areas from nuisance lawsuits and seek to preserve the farmand of each state.

Legal Process for Boundary Disputes In Syracuse, New York

Has someone brought a property dispute against you in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY 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.

The New York Property Boundary Doctrine affirms that any fence in Syracuse becomes an encroachment once it is built on your property. However, as most fences have to be built within 2 inches of the property lines, it may be considered an encroachment even if it doesn’t come fully onto your property. In addition, Syracuse residents seeking to replace a fence will need to receive a permit for their structural renovations.

Try to Find a Solution with Your Neighbor

Property dispute litigation in Syracuse, New York 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 Syracuse 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

Settling a dispute out of court is often the best option for both parties, as it can help avoid costly litigation fees. However, if negotiations break down, you may need to take the dispute to court.

Once the case is filed, the court will carefully review the evidence and determine ownership of the , property in question. Keep in mind that the court’s decision is legally binding. While the ruling may not align with your preferences, it’s generally in your best interest to reach a settlement rather than risk an outcome that could be less favorable.

The Syracuse Court of Claims is located on South Salina Street in Syracuse. It may be beneficial to your case for you to consult an experienced attorney in Syracuse.

Work With an Experienced Local Property Dispute Lawyer In Syracuse, New York

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 Syracuse 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 York state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.