Encroachment

An encroachment happens when a structure such as a fence, shed, deck, driveway, or garage extends past a property line onto a neighbor's land. It often goes unnoticed for years until a property survey maps the actual boundaries and reveals the overlap. Encroachments are common with older homes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where lot lines were drawn long ago and additions were built without precise measurements. They can complicate a sale because a lender or title company may want the issue resolved. Solutions vary and can include moving the structure, agreeing to an easement, or a boundary line adjustment between the two owners. An encroachment is not always a dealbreaker, but it should be identified and addressed rather than ignored, since it can affect title and future resale.