Ever tried building a fence only to find out your neighbor's shed is actually a foot over your property line? Or perhaps you're selling your home and need to clearly define the boundaries for potential buyers? These situations highlight the critical importance of a property survey. A property survey is a legal document that precisely depicts the boundaries, dimensions, and features of a piece of land. Having access to your property survey can prevent disputes, ensure compliance with local regulations, and provide valuable information for future construction or improvements.
Whether you've misplaced your original survey, need it for a new project, or are simply curious about its contents, obtaining a copy is usually a straightforward process. Knowing where to look and what steps to take can save you time and potential headaches. This guide will walk you through the common methods for retrieving this essential document, ensuring you have the accurate information you need about your property.
Where Can I Find My Property Survey?
Where's the first place I should look for my property survey?
The first place you should look for your property survey is within your closing documents from when you purchased the property. It's typically included with other important legal and financial paperwork related to the transaction.
If you can't find it there, consider these next steps. Check with your mortgage lender; they may have retained a copy as part of their due diligence. It's also worth contacting the title company that handled your closing, as they often keep records of surveys performed during the title search and insurance process. They might be able to provide you with a copy for a small fee or direct you to where one can be found.
Finally, if those avenues are unsuccessful, try contacting previous owners of the property if possible. They might have a copy of the survey from when they purchased the land. If all personal sources fail, you may need to consult public records, such as the county recorder's office or local government's land records department. Keep in mind that accessing these records may involve a search fee.
What if I can't find my survey; where else can I obtain one?
If you've misplaced your property survey, don't worry! Several avenues exist for potentially acquiring a copy. Start by contacting the parties involved in your property's purchase: your real estate agent, the title company that handled your closing, or the previous owner. If those avenues don't bear fruit, public records offices are the next logical step, including your county recorder's office or land records office. Finally, consider hiring a licensed surveyor to conduct a new survey, especially if you can't locate a reliable existing one.
Having a property survey can be crucial for various reasons, from resolving boundary disputes with neighbors to planning home improvements or selling your property. When contacting your real estate agent or title company, be sure to provide them with your property address, closing date, and any other relevant details that can help them locate the document more easily. Title companies are often required to keep records for a certain period and may have a copy readily available. Previous owners may also have retained a copy from when they purchased the property. If private channels are unsuccessful, the county recorder's office (also sometimes called the land records office or register of deeds) is the next place to check. Many jurisdictions require surveys to be filed as a matter of public record. Some offices now offer online search portals, allowing you to search by address, owner name, or parcel number. However, availability and the completeness of records vary significantly depending on the location. Be prepared to visit the office in person if necessary, as some records may only be available in physical format. There is generally a small fee associated with obtaining copies of recorded documents. Finally, if all other options fail, or if the existing survey is outdated or unreliable, hiring a licensed surveyor to conduct a new survey is the most dependable solution. A new survey will provide an accurate representation of your property boundaries and any easements or encumbrances, and it will meet current surveying standards. This is especially important if you are planning construction or significant property modifications. The cost of a new survey will vary depending on the size and complexity of your property and the surveyor's fees, so it’s wise to obtain quotes from several reputable surveyors in your area.Will I have to pay for a copy of my property survey?
Yes, in most cases you will have to pay for a copy of your property survey. While obtaining a survey from certain sources might be free, like your mortgage lender or title company at closing, these copies may not always be readily available later, or they may be incomplete. Requesting a new copy from a surveyor or accessing official records often involves fees associated with searching, copying, and certifying the document.
Even if you find a survey document among your closing papers or homeowner documents, it may not be considered an official or certified copy that can be used for legal purposes or building permits. Surveyors and government offices charge fees to maintain records, ensure accuracy, and provide certified copies. The cost can vary depending on the location, the age of the survey, and the complexity of the property. The fee for a copy is typically much less than the cost of having a new survey performed. A new survey can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the size and features of the property and the surveyor's rates. So, locating and paying for a copy of an existing survey is generally the most cost-effective option if one exists. Consider it an investment in avoiding potential property disputes and ensuring your compliance with local regulations.Can my neighbor get a copy of my property survey?
Generally, whether your neighbor can obtain a copy of your property survey depends on whether it's a matter of public record and local laws. If your survey has been officially recorded with the county or local municipality, it's usually accessible to anyone, including your neighbor. If it hasn't been recorded, your neighbor would need your permission to obtain a copy.
Even if your survey isn't officially recorded, there are still potential ways your neighbor could access information about your property boundaries. For example, if you've had a property dispute in the past and the survey was submitted as evidence in court, it could be part of the public court record. Also, if you shared a copy of your survey with a previous owner of your neighbor's property, they may have retained it.
If your neighbor is curious about the property line, the best approach might be open communication. You could discuss their concerns and, if you're comfortable, share a copy of your survey or offer to discuss the boundaries. Alternatively, they always have the option to commission their own survey. This ensures they have an independent and officially recognized document outlining the property boundaries according to their needs and requirements.
How to Get a Copy of My Property Survey
The easiest way to obtain a copy of your property survey is generally from your closing documents if you purchased the property. If you don't have those, it is likely recorded with your local government. Contact the county recorder's office, land registry, or similar local government agency where property records are maintained to request a copy.
Here's a breakdown of common methods to retrieve your property survey:
- **Check Your Closing Documents:** Your original survey is often included in the paperwork you received when you purchased your property. Look through your mortgage documents, title insurance policy, and any other records from the closing.
- **Contact Your Mortgage Lender or Title Company:** They may have a copy of the survey on file from when they financed or insured your property.
- **Search County Records:** Most property surveys are recorded with the county recorder's office (also known as the land registry or similar name depending on your location). You can visit their office in person or often search their online database for recorded documents related to your property. You'll likely need your property's address, parcel number, or the previous owner's name to conduct the search.
- **Contact the Surveying Company:** If you know the name of the surveying company that performed the original survey, you can contact them directly. They may have a copy on file and be able to provide you with a duplicate for a fee.
- **Hire a New Surveyor:** If all else fails, you can hire a licensed surveyor to conduct a new survey of your property. This is the most expensive option, but it will provide you with an updated and legally binding survey document.
Keep in mind that there may be a fee associated with obtaining a copy of your survey from the county recorder's office or a surveying company. The fee will vary depending on the location and the complexity of the request. Also, if you make changes to your property that impact the boundary lines (e.g., building a fence, adding a structure), you may need to obtain an updated survey to reflect those changes.
Is my property survey recorded publicly?
Generally, yes, your property survey is a public record and can be accessed by anyone. This is because surveys are often filed with local government entities to provide an official record of property boundaries and features.
While surveys are typically public records, the specific location of where they are stored can vary. The most common place to find a recorded survey is at your county's Recorder's Office (also sometimes called the Register of Deeds or Land Records office). They maintain records related to real property within the county, including deeds, mortgages, and, importantly, surveys. The survey might also be on file with the city or town's engineering or planning department, especially if the survey was required for a building permit or subdivision approval.
Keep in mind that not all surveys are automatically recorded. If you commissioned a private survey for your own informational purposes and didn't submit it as part of any official permitting or property transaction, it may not be publicly available. In this case, your surveyor should have given you an official copy that you will need to keep safe. If you cannot find it, contacting the surveying company that performed the work is the next best step. They are required to keep records of surveys they perform for a specific period.
Does the title company have a copy of my survey?
It's *possible* the title company has a copy of your property survey, especially if a survey was conducted during your property purchase. However, it's not a guarantee. Title companies primarily focus on insuring clear property title, and while a survey is helpful in that process, it's not always retained in their permanent records.
Typically, title companies rely on surveys to identify potential boundary issues, easements, or encroachments that could affect the property's title. If a survey revealed issues during your closing, the title company likely has a copy to document how those issues were resolved or insured over. If no issues were present or the survey was not essential to the title insurance process, they might not have kept it. Even if the title company doesn't possess a copy of your survey, they should have records indicating whether a survey was used during the title search. This information can be helpful as you explore other avenues for obtaining a copy. Contacting them is a good starting point, as they can potentially point you towards the surveyor who performed the original work or provide other relevant documentation related to your property closing.What information is required to request my property survey?
To request a copy of your property survey, you'll generally need to provide your property address, the name of the property owner (or previous owner if applicable), and potentially the property's legal description (lot number, block number, and subdivision name) or parcel ID number. This information helps identify the correct survey document.
When requesting a survey from a local government office (like a county recorder or assessor's office) or a surveying company, the more specific you are, the better. The property address is a good starting point, but it's not always sufficient, especially in areas with similar addresses or when records are not meticulously maintained. The legal description offers more precise identification, often found on your deed or property tax bill. The parcel ID number, also on your tax bill, is another highly accurate identifier. Providing both the legal description and parcel ID will significantly increase the chances of a quick and accurate search. If you are requesting a survey from a surveyor who conducted work on your property previously, be sure to include the approximate date the survey was conducted. They might maintain records organized by date, making it easier to retrieve your specific survey. Some surveying companies may also require proof of ownership, such as a copy of your deed or a recent property tax statement, to ensure they are releasing the document to the rightful owner. Be prepared to pay a fee for the copy. The cost can vary depending on the size and complexity of the survey and the cost of reproduction.And that's it! Getting your property survey might seem a little daunting at first, but hopefully, these tips have made the process clearer. Thanks for reading, and we hope you found this helpful. Feel free to come back anytime you have more property questions!