What is the best way to determine whether there is an encroachment of a boundary line?

• A. Have a survey done
• B. Review the boundary lines on the plat map
• C. Check the neighbor's boundary
• D. Compare street addresses

Answer: (A)

Determining encroachment hinges on locating the true property lines on the ground and tying them to the deed. A licensed survey does this by measuring, placing markers, and comparing the actual improvements to the recorded legal description. It provides an objective, defensible finding of whether any structure or feature crosses onto a neighboring parcel or sits within setbacks. Plat maps can help orient you but may be outdated or imprecise; they don’t guarantee that the line on the map matches the real-world boundary. Relying on what a neighbor says, or checking street addresses, isn’t reliable for boundary location—the address has no relation to the boundary. So the best way to determine encroachment is to have a survey done.