How To Guard Your Property From Encroachments?

Big fortunes are spent in property investments. Invariably, owners are emotionally connected with their immovable assets. In case their investment goes astray, the loss would not only be monetary but also sentimental. This means the job of a property owner does not end when he receives the possession of a priced asset; this property will have to be perpetually guarded, too. To be sure, there are legal remedies available for you in case your land is encroached upon ─ various provisions of the Specific Relief Act, 1963, and the Criminal Procedure Code safeguard the interest of property holders. However, one would certainly prefer prevention to cure. Let us see how we should go about it.

Keep record of property documents

First things first, property purchase-related documents establish your ownership of a property. As a buyer, you really do not have a scope to go slow in matters of getting all the papers in place as soon as the purchase is done. Apart from the sale deed and conveyance deed, key documents also include mutation and registration of the property. You may also have paid taxes on your purchase. These documents will also support your ownership over a property. In case you used bank finance to fund the purchase, the papers provided by the bank would also solve the same purpose. Simply put, the government should have it in its record that this specific property legally belongs to you. No matter how absolutely tiresome you find the task to be, perform each move with great precision. This is an area where you cannot afford to go slow.

Be vigilant 

Consistent vigilance might be difficult in case you live in one location and own a property in another. The task would prove to be even more difficult if the property is located in another city altogether. Going forward, the task would turn out to be more daunting if you have to keep an eye on a property that you own outside of the country. It would be ideal to make personal visits to your property as and when you can. In case that is not a possibility, you could hire people to take care of your property. There are dedicated service providers to do that today. You could also ask your friends or family members in that city to watch your property for you.

Create a fence around the property 

You are the legal owner of a certain property, and it is a must to let the world outside know about it. In case you have bought a piece of land and plan to carry out the construction in future, it is imperative that at least a fence is created to mark your territory. As a warning for trespassers, there should also be a big board declaring that this property belongs to you. It would only be better if a temporary living space could be created to rent out. Apart from earning a monthly rent, you would also have some permanently to take care of your property.

Ask neighbours to keep watch

We live in times when one hardly has any inclination to mingle with one's neighbours. Where is the time to socialise in your busy life? Strange as it may sound, we need our neighbours more today than we did earlier. After all, they are the first ones to know that happens to us, good or bad. If a neighbour is able to keep a close watch on your property, you will have no reason to worry about your property. At the time of buying the property, you could organise a small function and introduce yourself to your neighbours. Share with them the fact of the matter, and seek their advice. You could lay your trust in the person who you think is responsible enough and willing enough to help you, and entrust him with the responsibility of your property.

Also Read: SC Ruling To Make Adverse Possession Tougher