In the context of land surveying, prescription refers to a legal principle that recognizes and validates long-standing, uncontested use or occupation of a property, even if it initially deviated from the established property boundaries. This principle acknowledges the practical reality that over time, certain land use patterns may become accepted and legally recognized. Prescription can influence the determination of property boundaries based on historical use, and it is often invoked in cases of adverse possession or other situations where consistent, undisputed use of a specific portion of land has occurred for an extended period. Land surveyors play a crucial role in assessing and documenting instances of prescription, ensuring that property boundaries are accurately represented in accordance with legal standards and historical use patterns.
Prescription in land surveying is the process of claiming ownership of a piece of land based on possession that has extended beyond 12 or more years. The initial step involves conducting a survey, creating a legal document that serves as evidence in court to support your case for ownership.
Various scenarios may lead to considering prescription for a piece of land. For instance, if you grew up in a house on a piece of land assuming it belonged to your family, only to discover that there are no ownership documents, prescription could be a suitable avenue. Additionally, when seeking approval for repairs or extensions from authorities like the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) or city council, ownership documents are necessary, making prescription a relevant process.
Our dedicated team of certified land surveyors are ready to assist you by visiting your location and conducting the necessary surveys and pertinent research of your land. Branded markers or "paals" will be precisely planted, to determine the limits of the land. The survey results and research findings will be meticulously documented as required by law to support the prescription process. Trust us to expertly guide you through this process and advocate for your ownership rights.