My survey shows my neighbor’s shed is on my land. What should I do?

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Fences and encroachments0 answersAI answer

A new survey shows part of my neighbor's shed is a couple of feet over the line onto my property.

Asked October 25, 2026

AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor

This is called an encroachment, and it's more common than you might think. Here's a calm way to handle it [1]:

  1. Confirm the facts. Ask your surveyor to show the encroachment clearly on the plat and to point out the line and monuments on the ground.
  2. Talk to your neighbor. Share the survey. They may not know, and they may want their own surveyor to check.
  3. Look at options:
  • The neighbor moves the structure.
  • You sell or swap the strip.
  • You sign a recorded encroachment or boundary line agreement.
  • You give written permission for the shed to stay.
  1. Get legal advice if you can't agree, especially if the structure has been there for a long time. Adverse-possession rules vary by state [3].

Acting early and in writing is the best protection [2]. A real-estate attorney can draft the agreement.

Sources

  1. What if I disagree with my neighbor's survey or my survey shows an encroachment?
  2. Common Boundary Disputes and How a Survey Can Prevent Them
  3. What is Adverse Possession in Property Ownership?

General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.

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