My neighbor has used a strip of my yard for years. Could they end up owning it?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
Adverse possession is a legal doctrine that can, in limited cases, let someone gain title to land they've openly occupied for a long time without the owner's permission [1].
The requirements differ by state, but they usually include possession that is:
- Open and obvious: not hidden.
- Continuous: for a period set by state law, often many years.
- Exclusive: used as if they own it.
- Hostile: without the true owner's permission.
Some states add conditions such as paying property taxes on the land. Giving written permission often defeats a claim, because the use is then no longer "hostile".
A survey shows exactly where the line is and what's on your side [2]. For the legal side, talk to a real-estate attorney in your state, because the rules and time periods vary a lot.
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.