A Peter Chapman, a resident of Staplehurst, Kent, has found himself at the centre of a dispute over land ownership after a for sale sign appeared in his garden. The sign, which was spotted by a neighbour, directed potential buyers to a property auction website.
Chapman, who has owned his semi-detached home for eight years, claims that the sale of part of his garden is unlawful. He believes that the family has been in adverse possession of the land, having used it without interruption for a long period.
The dispute began when Chapman received a call from his wife, who had been told by a neighbour about the for sale sign. He subsequently discovered that the land was up for auction with a guide price of £14,000. However, after the sale failed to reach its reserve price, the auction house reduced the price to £4,000, sparking further concern.
Auction House, the company responsible for hosting the sale, has since withdrawn the listing, citing a need for Chapman and Asset Invest, the company claiming ownership of the land, to negotiate on the plot. However, the dispute remains ongoing, with Chapman refusing to settle for a payment of £2,500 for the disputed land.
Chapman's family has built an outbuilding at the bottom of the garden, where his wife works from home. The children 'love the garden', and his wife's work room could be at risk if the sale goes ahead.