Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

Re: How do I protect my land rights?

Make sure your lot is surveyed so that you know your boundaries; you should have permanent markers placed in the ground. Continue to pay property taxes on your land. The act of a lawn service cleaning part of your yard is not enough to dispossess you of ownership.

Re: How do I protect my land rights?

The first question is whether there really is any dispute. If it bothers you when the neighbor's service cleans your part of the lawn, ask them or the neighbor not to do it, and or clean it yourself so that they understand you consider it part of your property.

Secondly, if you really are interested in clarifying the issue, you certainly could plant flowers or other vegetation at points along the line. You will then know whether the neighbor disputes the location of the boundary line.

If you are really concerned, you could always have a survey done, and have the boundary line staked out. Of course, this would bring the matter to a head, if there is a dispute.