– Frequently Asked Questions –
When purchasing a property it is important to have the boundaries surveyed?
Yes! This is like insurance to ensure what you buying and to protect your most valuable purchase.
How can I prove my neighbours shed is over my boundary?
Our Identification Survey will locate any encroachments and list the options to rectify.
What survey is required?
This depends on what action you are undertaking. This may include:
– Identification Survey to peg boundary for purchasing property or building fence.
– Detail & Level Survey to prepare for building a house.
Who is responsible for looking after a Retaining Wall?
Retaining walls are engineered to support built up (fill) or excavated (cut) earth. They are not normally a matter of joint responsibility for neighbours because a retaining wall is usually of more benefit to one neighbour. The maintenance of a retaining wall is the responsibility of the property owner whose land the retaining wall benefits.
There may be circumstances where a retaining wall has been constructed on the boundary that retains fill on one property and cut on the neighbouring property. In these circumstances, both neighbours will be responsible for the maintenance of the retaining wall.
Where there is a dispute over whether the retaining wall benefits one or both properties, the services of a registered geotechnical engineer and/or surveyor may be required to make an expert determination.
Council may have records of building approval for assessable retaining walls; however, building work for retaining walls may be self-assessable under Schedule 1 of the Building Regulation 2006 and therefore not require building approval.
(Provided by Sunshine Coast Regional Council).
Are you responsible for maintaining a dividing fence?
According to the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 a fence is not just a line of posts or panels. It is anything enclosing land including a ditch, hedge or even a creek, and it does not have to extend along the whole boundary. It also includes gates, cattle grids, and anything forming part of the enclosure.
Dividing fences on a common boundary are equally owned by, and the responsibility of, the adjoining property owners.
Generally, in situations where a dividing fence is required, the owners of the properties divided by the fence are equally responsible to contribute to a sufficient dividing fence.
Property owners must obtain consent from the adjoining owner in order to attach items such as shade sails to a dividing fence. If unpermitted attachments damage the fence, the adjoining owner may apply to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for an order requiring the attachment be removed and the fence restored to a reasonable standard.
QCAT can assist to resolve neighbourhood fence disputes however it is much better if you can resolve the problem together and stay on good terms with your neighbour.
(Provided by Sunshine Coast Regional Council) .
How do you find if a Surveyor is Licensed?
The Surveyors Registration Board of Queensland has a published register of current licensed Surveyors and this can be accessed via sbq.com.au/find-a-surveyor/search-cadastral/.