Six Things a Property Map Can Tell You About Your Land
It’s important to get a professional surveyor to map out your property lines to remove any ambiguity when it comes to your land. Property maps dictate what you can build where and they can affect your insurance and mortgage. In other words, they’re pretty important if you have any plans for your section. Read on to learn about six important things a property map will reveal about your land.
Its shape and contour
A topographical map will shed light on the shape and contour of your land. Shape refers to the terrain while contour lines connect points that are at the same elevation above sea level. The distance between contour lines reveals land features like steep hills or shallow valleys. The location of key topographical information has far reaching implications on what you can do with your land.
What your legal boundaries are
An estimate of where your property starts and ends is not the same as a legal boundary. To find out precisely – and legally – what is yours, you need a land surveyor to map your property. This can be important for many things, from selling your house to letting you know if you can subdivide your land.
Height of buildings
Each District Plan has different rules around height requirements of buildings; a property map can tell you where your property fits in and if any plans to build up will be allowed. And remember, this doesn’t only apply to the top of your building, but also to antennas, aerials and chimneys, too.
Location of fences
In theory, fences should sit right on the boundary line between one property and the next. However, in reality, it doesn’t always work this way and sometimes a fence isn’t exactly where it’s meant to be. This has all sort of implications when it comes to fixing or replacing the fence or even selling the property. A property map will reveal exactly where your fences lie.
Whether or not you can add to your property
If you want to build an addition, a garage, or put in a pool, property mapping is an important first step. District Plans determine how close you can build to your boundary where you live, so first you have to map out exactly where this boundary is and see if you have enough space.
If you’re right
Do you have an on-going disagreement with a neighbour over your boundary? Perhaps you think his garage is sitting on your driveway, or you’re certain your pool isn’t too close to the fence. The only way to know for certain is to check your property map or get a surveyor to map out your boundaries. But remember, being right is only half the battle. You’ll have to live next to your neighbour for a long time, so it’s worth breaking the news kindly!
Talk to Tararua Surveyors about mapping your property
If you need to map your property and discover your boundaries in Wellington, Levin, Porirua or the Kapiti Coast, talk to Tararua Land Surveyors now.