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Neighbours start battles of borders

Andy Cronshaw
29/ 5/2003

SURGING house prices in south Manchester have led to a massive increase in neighbours who scrap over their house boundaries.

According to solicitors, Slater Heelis Collier and Littler, neighbours in expensive homes are arguing over every inch of their land as the values have increased.

Housing solicitor Chris Bishop said the disputes were typical for people in Hale Barns and Altrincham. But now, he said that massively inflated house prices in Chorlton, Didsbury, Sale and Whalley Range have reached such a level that people in these areas are no longer prepared to compromise over their land either.

"While most disputes were sparked by the erection of a new fence or wall; boundary arguments between neighbours nowadays have intensified and focussed on people who build extensions on their property. House prices have risen so dramatically that many have not to move house but add to their current home.

"What tends to be happen though, particularly between people living in semi-detached houses, is that boundaries are being pushed to their limit. "Even if the extension is within the boundary, it may obstruct the neighbour's view and in which case, the individual may still have a case to pursue.

Mr Bishop said the upturn in enquiries within south Manchester had been particularly dramatic over the last year. He added: "I'm now having a boundary dispute to deal with every week, while a few years ago, I was normally contacted only a few times during the course of a whole year."