A matter of land | Don't lose your property in the new year

Good day, readers. Let me wish you all a happy New Year from us at The Sunday Gleaner and from A Matter of Land. We wish you all the best in 2017.

Last week, we spoke about giving your loved ones the property you want them to have now instead of by means of a will.

This week we will look at documents that have statute of limitation based on time and what you need to do.

Every survey document is subject to time that determines its validity, so at this time of the year I suggest you take a look at your survey documents to see if they are still valid.

The Land Surveyors Reports are valid for only one year. So check your surveyor's report to see when it expires if you plan to use it in the new year.

SURVEY DIAGRAM

Another surveying document that is time sensitive is the Survey Diagram. This document is used predominantly as a supporting one for title applications. It has a shelf life of seven years. So you should check your document to see where in the seven years it is now. If it expires you will either need to have a new survey done or have a surveyor's declaration done to have the document be valid again.

I want to also advise persons who have vacant property that they for some reason or another do not occupy. Time should be taken to visit the property. If you are in a different parish or country and you only visit at this time of the year, you should ensure that you check on your property.

This will alert you if anyone is squatting on your property or occupying it by means of cattle rearing or farming.

If you discover someone occupying your property without your permission, make it your point of duty to give them permission to occupy the property and ensure that you do so in writing, or give them an eviction notice to vacate your property.

You have to do this to ensure that they don't stay there undisturbed as they may be able to acquire your property by means of adverse possession.

So be sure to check your documents to ensure you are aware of their expiry dates and that way you will not be surprised when you need to use them.

Again, a happy New Year.

Until next time, traverse well.

- Craig Francis is a commissioned land surveyor and managing director of Precision Surveying Services Ltd. He can be contacted for questions or queries at craig_r_francis@yahoo.com or Precision Surveying Services