Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

years of using land to become yours

I have been dumping grass clippings in over a stone wall in my back yard for almost 20 years now without a problem (only grass clippings). I feel it helps maintain my stone wall and replaces lost dirt between the rocks. A new neighbor moved in in back of me and has been complaining. A young wiper snapper. It is not even near his house or cause any harm or smell. I have been doing it for so long, I would like to continue. It is not considered my land after so many years of use? I do not want to be an complaining neighbor, but I hope it saves my wall. There is a fence between the wall and his land so nothing is a problem and it is not considered his land anyway.....what can i do and what is my rights. He sent the Board of Health to my house to complain only because his mother is an officer in the city. He is a young newlywed and the property really is in need of repair and my grassclippings are not bothering him or anyone else only protecting my wall from all the animals living in it. I would like to continue. please help.........The Board of Health sent a letter telling me to stop or I could file an appeal, should I? I do not want to cause trouble, but this has not been a problem in nearly 20 years..........


Asked on 11/22/06, 3:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: years of using land to become yours

If you can prove 20 consecutive years of use you may have rights by adverse possession. Retain an attorney to find out. Otherwise file an appeal of the BOH order, Or do both. Good Luck!

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Answered on 11/23/06, 10:17 pm


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