玩偶姐姐

@jnnf

It's a bit of a coincidence, sure. But it's probably worth getting an attorney to check it after 20 years, rather than merely hoping for the best. PM me and I'll happily share my attorney's details.

Also, it's possible that it's not "fraudulent". I don't know how often you've visited the site, or how assiduously you've kept the site maintained and the bills (especially property taxes) paid. If you've done absolutely nothing for 20 years, I'd imagine it's possible that the municipality considers the property "abandoned".

If someone's been using it without your knowledge then they can claim ownership under "adverse possession": 5 years "in good faith" or 10 years "in bad faith". They just need to swear before a notary that they have been doing so, preferably with a couple of "witnesses" (there's no comeback even if the witnesses are lying through their teeth 馃槑) and they can apply for the title to be registered in their name

Just ignoring property, land or residential, is a pretty daft thing to do in ANY country.. including the UK.

Just to add - obtaining a property via adverse possession is NOT "fraudulent", it's perfectly legal...

It's likely adverse possession claim (as others have mentioned) because it's in land ownership laws to maintain land reguar in most countries. Certainly in common law countries like UK, US and probably in the E.U directives also. Thus municipality can legally claim and resell land for non payment of taxes and its cant be stopped without full payment. Otherwise you could claim it as theft, without such regulations in place.

All someone need do is place notice on the land and your kinda screwed unless you make regular use yourself immediately. If you don't want to make use of the place, you could rent it out to someone who wants it, make income ND solve the issue all at the same time.

Good luck 馃憤

If you rent out ANY kind of property, make sure that there's a written and notarised contract, and that you're paid something in rent, however small a sum it is.聽 It's also an idea to make the contract for a fixed period, say a year, and then extend it each year via a short addendum signed by both parties.