Land surveying – what is it??

Since it provides the basis for precise planning and development, land surveying is an essential component of building and renovation projects. It entails taking exact measurements and mapping the land, determining borders, contours of the terrain, and other pertinent information. Surveyors collect data that tells developers, engineers, and architects about the unique features of a site using specialized tools like GPS and total stations.

Determining precise property boundaries is one of the main objectives of land surveying. Surveyors aid in averting ownership disputes by defining the boundaries between one parcel of land and another. In order to ensure proper boundary demarcation, this process frequently entails reviewing historical records, utilizing cutting-edge measurement tools, and applying legal principles.

In addition to delineating boundaries between properties, land surveying is essential for infrastructure development and urban planning. In-depth maps and charts made by surveyors are used to direct the location of buildings, utilities, roads, and other structures. This careful planning guarantees that building projects move forward without interfering with nearby properties or natural landmarks.

Additionally, by evaluating the effects of development on the natural landscape, land surveying supports environmental conservation initiatives. Surveyors can help planners design projects that minimize ecological disruption and adhere to regulations by identifying environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands or habitats of endangered species.

The essence of boundary work

Land surveying is essentially a chance to measure the allotment, record it, and formally define the boundaries of a plot in the form of turning points. Additionally, with the outcomes of this type of work in hand, it is possible to reestablish boundaries that have been crossed and defend the land plot from outside intrusions.

Do tasks you couldn’t complete on your own. The only person qualified to determine the extreme points, even on a properly shaped area, is a specialist from a licensed organization with access to the required tools.

A boundary map is given to the landowner after all measurements have been made and the data has been processed. This map will be required in the future for property transactions as well as when dividing, creating, or combining multiple land plots.

The following details are reflected in the document:

• Scaled diagram of the measured territory;
• Exact coordinates of end points. On the ground they are marked with special milestones;
• Distance between milestones;
• Storage area.

You can give the plot a unique cadastral number and register it in the real estate register by conducting land surveying. Completing these steps is necessary in order to close a land sale transaction and carry out other important tasks involving the land plot.

Difference between procedure and other concepts

Cadastral works

With land surveying, you can determine the allotment’s boundary points by taking the required measurements.

Special signs are erected to denote the boundaries of the land ownership area; the coordinates of these signs are utilized to create an allotment diagram.

The information gathered is then recorded during the cadastral work that follows.

The distinction between cadastral works and land surveying is that the former is a component of the latter.

Measurements taken with a satellite or through specialized geodetic work are processed, documentation on the land plot is examined, and the information gathered during the measurement is organized. After that, a compiled plan is created, which is the final product of cadastral work.

Following the issuance of a cadastre passport, such a document is used.

Privatization

When an allotment’s boundaries are established during boundary work, the allotment is not converted to that citizen’s private property. Privatization is required in order to acquire ownership rights.

Only one step in the process of registering land ownership is land surveying.

Additionally, measure the area and give the site a cadastral number before starting the privatization process. According to Russian Federation Land Code Article 39.15, the citizen’s application must include this information.

Geodesy of the territory

Engineers must first carry out a series of actions that enable you to precisely determine the coordinates of the object under study before beginning a set of procedures that are united by the concept of "surveying."

Direct field measurements are referred to as geodesy or geodetic work. According to Article 10 of Federal Law No. 78-FZ, which was enacted on June 18, 2001, one of the objectives of such an event is to demarcate boundaries regarding land ownership.

It is impossible to gather the data required to complete cadastral work without precisely identifying the extreme points and surveying the area. As a result, geodetic survey is regarded as a crucial step in the whole land surveying process.

Land management

Federal Law No. 78 Federal Law, which was enacted on June 18, 2001, defines "land management" in its entirety in Article 1.

The process consists of a number of land-related tasks, one of which is figuring out where the allotment’s boundaries are.

However, the process of developing land does not include land surveying.

The goal of this type of work, a plot of land, is not covered by the Law "On Land Use," as it did prior to the implementation of Federal Law No. 66-FZ, which was passed on May 13, 2008. There is no connection between these ideas and meanings.

Changes in Land Legislation

Boundary work that is required on the owner’s unestablished property.

Measuring on the property was required in the past, but since 2007, the owners have been the only ones who can request that this procedure be done.

But starting in 2018, land laws have become more stringent, which has an impact on the land surveying process as well. The approval of a unique "Road Map" by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2236-r in 2012 marked the start of the preparations for it.

According to paragraph 21.4, a land plot cannot be entered into the Unified Register without first establishing its boundaries and submitting the necessary paperwork. Federal Law No. 447-FZ, which was approved on December 22, 2014, was implemented to unify the position.

Owners who intend to pursue legal action over their landholdings will need to take measurements. You will have to worry about locating the extreme points and inputting details about them into the Unified State Register of Real Estate if you want to sell, give away, or inherit an item.

These kinds of things can be done both before and after 2018. However, since land surveying is a time-consuming process that requires some planning and must be completed before the property can be officially entered into the cadastre register, it is best to worry about it in advance.

Why is the work being carried out?

Establishing the boundaries of a citizen’s land is done for more reasons than just figuring out how big a plot is or registering it with the cadastral registration authorities. By conducting a survey, you can both safeguard the owner’s rights and greatly increase the opportunities for using the land.

Comparable efforts are being made in order to facilitate the following actions:

• Conclude a lease or sale agreement;
• Bequeath land by inheritance;
• Build legally buildings on the allotment;
• Resolve conflicts with neighbors in case of violation of boundary lines of property in court and during pre-trial settlement of the issue;
• To cut land, combine plots, or split the property into several parts.

Outcomes of boundary work given legal standing.

You can safeguard yourself against the claims of dishonest neighbors and demonstrate with ease that a specific area is part of a specific land ownership by having a professional ownership plan created.

The process of precisely measuring and mapping land to ascertain boundaries, contours, and physical features is known as land surveying, and it is an essential step in building and remodeling projects. It provides vital information for building roads, buildings, and utilities, ensuring precise planning and development. Surveyors collect data on land elevations, angles, and point-to-point distances using specialized equipment such as GPS, total stations, and levels. This thorough mapping promotes the effective use of land resources, guarantees zoning law compliance, and helps avoid property disputes. Ultimately, by creating the framework for secure and well-planned construction projects, land surveying contributes significantly to the shaping of our built environment.

pros

Compared to land ownership with unknown coordinates, the land tenure on which land surveying was done has the following benefits:

• Realtors and buyers prefer to enter into transactions with plot owners who have identified the extreme points in advance and completed the appropriate documentation. The presence of a boundary map and the inclusion of land ownership in the cadastral register makes it possible in the future avoid a number of difficulties associated with proving ownership;
• Sell ​​demarcated property can be done much faster, since you don’t have to wait for the completion of boundary work and carry out the property registration procedure;
• When surveying, the list of actions that can be carried out with land ownership expands significantly.

There is no charge for the procedure if certain requirements are fulfilled. Specialist fees are covered by municipal or federal budgetary funds.

Flaws

Even with all the benefits of the method outlined, landowners are not in a rush to hire land surveyors. This is because of the challenges involved in the process.

Among land surveying’s drawbacks are:

• Long preparation for the procedure;
• The need for the presence of the owner when taking measurements and completing documentation: owners living in other regions cannot allocate enough time to carry out the work;
• The high cost of professional services, which are forced to turn to citizens who do not have the right to establish boundary lines for free or who do not trust specialists from the municipality;
• The need to obtain permission from the owners of nearby plots, which are impossible to find;
• Constant changes in the regulatory framework describing the procedure.

That being said, there’s no reason to put off drawing boundary lines.

The registration of several transactions, along with the erection of structures on the land without a boundary plan and without a cadastral registration mark, are deemed unlawful.

Documentation

A geodetic company specialist might ask you to submit a number of documents before you can begin working. Usually, the list consists of:

A legal document attesting to the plot’s ownership. It might be:

• Purchase agreement.
• Certificate of inheritance.
• Act of donation.

Technical records:

• Cadastral passport.
• Papers issued by BTI.

Identifying the services’ clientele:

• For organizations – constituent papers.
• For citizens – Russian passport.

A cadastral specialist can request certain information directly from the State Property Committee or the Unified State Register.

What stages does it include?

Boundary work is performed in multiple stages. The steps are outlined in the Instructions that the Russian Federation Committee on Land Resources and Land Management approved on April 8, 1996.

Experts must abide by the act’s provisions, as must all businesses licensed to undertake property boundary line determination work.

Conclusion of an agreement

Even if the equipment is available and the owner validates the results, you still have no right to take the measurements yourself. Boundary line determination is limited to cadastral engineers employed by licensed organizations or provided by municipalities to citizens.

The contractor and the service client must come to an agreement before beginning work. It is imperative that you ascertain the cost of the work and confirm that the employees performing it have the necessary qualifications before you sign the agreement.

A minimum of two geodetic company specialists must be involved in the process.

Land demarcation procedure

The landowner’s obligations are restricted to the following list of tasks:

• Providing the documents requested by the specialist;
• Notifying neighbors about the procedure;
• Indication of the territory where land surveying is required;
• Payment of the cost of engineer services specified in the contract.

The employees of the geodetic organization are also responsible for the following additional measuring and paperwork-related tasks:

• Study of documents confirming the right of ownership, as well as extracting the information specified in them about the allotment;
• Development of a project for boundary work;
• Setting boundaries;
• Conducting surveys of the territory and installing special signs at the extreme points;
• Determination of land ownership area;
• Preparation of draft maps of the territory specified in the agreement.

Issuing a plan

Upon receiving a document featuring a diagram, the task is completed.

It should include a text section with measurements, acts of dispute resolution, and information needed to register land ownership in the cadastral register in addition to a graphical layout of the object with boundaries designated.

Entering information into the state cadastre

The primary goal of surveying is to register the data that is received in a special real estate register and to register a cadastral passport for the purpose of registering property later on.

In order for an object to be registered in the state cadastre, the owner must give the Rosreestr staff the following documentation:

• Boundary plan;
• Identity document;
• Completed and signed application.

A power of attorney is required when a representative transfers documents.

Laws specify that the time limit for registering land ownership is ten days. Following the process, the owner receives a cadastre passport with information about the plot of land.

Registration of ownership

It is simple to register land ownership as private property when you have a cadastral passport. Prior to visiting Rosreestr or MFC, the following papers were also applied to:

• Applicant"s passport;
• Insurance certificate;
• Title paper on the memory;
• Receipt for payment of state duty.

It takes ten days to enter data into the Unified State Register. After that, a certificate attesting to the object’s ownership solely belong to the applicant.

Price

Regional authorities may set a maximum threshold for land surveying costs prior to March 1, 2018, by means of local regulations. Part 3 of Article 47 of Federal Law No. 221-FZ, which was approved on July 24, 2007, states this.

Price regulation will not take place after the allotted time has passed.

The amount of compensation for each kind of work is determined independently by each geodetic organization.

Price established after consideration of numerous factors:

• Regional affiliation of land ownership;
• Established land use category;
• Allotment dimensions;
• Configuration;
• Distance from city limits.

Depending on the particular services needed and the previously mentioned variables, the average cost of land surveying in the country ranges from $2,000 to $15,000.

The technical diagram comes with a price tag of about 4,000 rubles.

How to make it for free

2018 saw the launch of a new pilot program that enables citizens of 13 regions to conduct free land surveys of their holdings. Crimea and parts of the Far North are on the list.

The following situations, as stipulated by law, qualify for free land surveying services:

• Rent or purchase of municipal unsurveyed land through an auction;
• The work covers a large area. During their course, each plot is separated separately.

In other cases, you will be responsible for paying the employees of the geodetic company for their services.

Coordination with owners of neighboring plots

Only with the owners of adjacent plots’ permission can boundary work be completed on garden plots and individual house construction undertaken. Notification of the intention must come beforehand. The best course of action is to send a registered letter to each owner using the Russian Post’s services.

The notice of delivery can be used as proof that the owner is correct in future disputes if it is claimed that the neighbors were not informed.

Surveys of plots registered with SNT or a dacha cooperative are only permitted with the association chairman’s approval.

Following the survey, a special act is created that documents the neighbors’ agreement with the findings. Without it, formal ownership cannot be established on the basis of the map-plan that was received from the company and is deemed invalid.

Useful video

Watch this engaging video to learn more about land surveying and its importance.

Any building or remodeling project must include land surveying since it lays the groundwork for precise planning and development. It entails using specialized tools and methods to precisely measure and map boundaries, elevations, and land features. Surveyors make sure that construction can move forward without hiccups and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements by pinpointing the precise locations of both natural and man-made structures on a property.

Surveyors collect information about the land using a range of instruments, including GPS, total stations, and laser levels. Following analysis and interpretation, this data is used to produce comprehensive plans, maps, and reports that serve as a roadmap for architects, engineers, and builders throughout the course of a project. Precise surveying is necessary to reduce mistakes and increase productivity, whether it is for identifying property boundaries, evaluating the suitability of the terrain, or tracking the status of construction projects.

Land surveying is essential for resource management, urban planning, and environmental preservation in addition to construction. In order to maintain natural habitats and reduce their negative effects on the environment, it assists communities in allocating land for residential, commercial, and recreational uses. Surveyors also map floodplains, evaluate landslide risks, and guarantee infrastructure resilience, all of which help with disaster preparedness.

As technology develops, land surveying as a profession also does. In order to improve accuracy and efficiency, modern surveying techniques incorporate sophisticated software for data analysis and visualization. In addition to increasing accuracy, this technological integration enables more intricate spatial modeling and analysis, promoting sustainable development strategies and well-informed decision-making.

Video on the topic

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