Can a Boundary Survey Fix Deeds with Conflicting Descriptions?

Discrepancies in property deeds happen more often than you’d think. Maybe your deed says the fence is yours, but your neighbour swears otherwise. Or perhaps two deeds describe overlapping plots of land, leaving you stuck in the middle. These kinds of issues can quickly become legal headaches—especially when money, construction plans, or land use rights are involved. If you’re dealing with unclear or conflicting legal descriptions in property deeds, boundary surveys in Edmonton can provide the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

Why Do Deed Descriptions Conflict?

Property descriptions in deeds are supposed to define exactly what a landowner owns. However, over time, these descriptions can become vague, outdated, or even wrong due to several reasons:

• Old surveying methods. Some properties were originally surveyed using imprecise tools or informal markers that no longer exist.
• Human error. Clerical mistakes, unclear language, or misinterpretations from previous land transfers can create contradictions.
• Boundary changes over time. Natural changes (like rivers shifting), construction, or even long-term occupation can subtly shift boundaries.
• Overlap in legal descriptions. Sometimes, adjacent properties have descriptions that unintentionally overlap, creating a dispute.

These inconsistencies can cause trouble during sales, construction projects, property line disputes, or permit applications. That’s where boundary surveys in Edmonton come in.

How Boundary Surveys Resolve Conflicts

Boundary surveys are specialized services performed by licensed professionals. Their purpose is to determine and legally define the boundaries of a property based on historical records, deed descriptions, and physical evidence on the land.

When two or more deeds seem to conflict, a professional boundary surveyor will:

• Review Historical Documents. Surveyors analyze land titles, previous surveys, legal descriptions, and subdivision plans from land registry offices.
• Compare Deed Descriptions. They carefully check how each deed describes the property and identify where the inconsistencies or overlaps occur.
• Conduct On-Site Surveys. Using advanced surveying tools and geospatial data, surveyors physically measure the property lines and check for existing monuments (like iron bars or stakes) that mark old boundaries.
• Interpret Evidence. Surveyors use their judgment and professional standards to reconcile discrepancies, often giving more weight to physical markers and longstanding occupation than to newer, conflicting descriptions.
• Produce an Updated Plan. A new, accurate boundary plan is drawn up, clarifying the property limits in a format that’s recognized legally.

The end result is a detailed report that can support legal action, title corrections, and planning applications. It’s not just about lines on a map—it’s about protecting your rights and your investment.

When You Might Need a Boundary Survey in Edmonton

Conflicting deed descriptions aren’t always obvious until something happens—like selling your property, building a fence, or applying for permits. Here are common situations where boundary surveys in Edmonton become essential:

• You're buying or selling a property and want to avoid legal surprises.
• Your neighbour builds a structure near what you believe is your property line.
• You discover overlapping property descriptions in the land titles.
• You’re planning a subdivision or major development.
• There’s a legal dispute over land ownership or boundaries.

Once a boundary survey clarifies the situation, you can move forward. You may need to update your title with the land registry office or use the new boundary plan to negotiate with neighbours or settle disputes. In many cases, the survey becomes a key piece of evidence to amend legal descriptions or win court cases.

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