Checking a Property's Boundaries Before You Buy

Property photos and a listing tell you what a place looks like. They don't tell you where the property legally begins and ends — and that gap is where expensive surprises hide: a fence that sits a metre inside the real boundary, a servitude running across the garden, or a stand that's smaller than you assumed. A little boundary due diligence before you make an offer is cheap insurance.

Why boundaries matter before you buy

The boundary is the legal edge of what you're buying. Getting it wrong can mean:

• Encroachments — a structure (yours or a neighbour's) that crosses the line, which can become your problem after transfer.
• A misleading fence — fences are put up for convenience, not surveyed accuracy, and often don't sit on the true boundary.
• Servitudes — registered rights, such as a right of way or a municipal services line, that cross the property and limit what you can build.
• Extent surprises — the actual surveyed size differing from what the agent quoted, which affects value and your plans.

The document that settles it: the SG diagram

The definitive record of a property's boundaries is its Surveyor General (SG) diagram — the approved survey that shows the exact shape, the corner beacons (pegs), the length of each boundary, the total extent in square metres or hectares, and any servitudes crossing the land. Not the title deed, not the listing, not the fence — the SG diagram.

You don't need to commission a surveyor to see it. Look up the property at SGCheck by address or erf number, check for free which diagrams exist, and download them. With the diagram in hand you can confirm the extent, see where the boundaries and any servitudes run, and compare that to what you're being shown on the ground.

A buyer's boundary checklist

• Pull the SG diagram and read off the extent and boundary dimensions. Does the size match what the agent told you?
• Walk the boundaries and look for the beacons at the corners. If a fence or wall is well inside or outside where the diagram puts the line, ask why.
• Check for servitudes on the diagram — a strip across the property can rule out a pool, a garage or an extension exactly where you wanted it.
• Look for obvious encroachments — a neighbour's structure, driveway or wall that appears to cross the line. Raise these before you sign, not after.
• Confirm ownership and bonds separately — boundaries are only half the picture. Check who owns the property, whether there's a bond over it and its transfer history at DeedsCheck.

When to bring in a professional

For most purchases, reading the SG diagram and walking the boundaries is enough. Bring in a professional land surveyor when something doesn't add up — a beacon is missing, a structure clearly encroaches, or you're planning to build close to a boundary and need the line pegged precisely. Only a surveyor can re-establish a beacon or resolve a boundary on the ground; the diagram tells you whether you need to.

Boundaries vs ownership — check both

Two separate questions, two separate records. Where does the property run? is answered by the SG diagram (SGCheck). Who owns it and is it bonded? is answered by the deeds record (DeedsCheck). A thorough buyer checks both before making an offer — together they tell you what you're actually buying and from whom.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out the exact size of a property before buying?

The official extent is on the property's SG diagram, in square metres or hectares. You can look up and download the diagram for any property at SGCheck without hiring a surveyor.

Can I trust the fence as the boundary?

No. Fences are placed for convenience and frequently don't sit on the surveyed line. The SG diagram and its beacons are the legal boundary — check those, not the fence.

How do I know if there's a servitude across the property?

Servitudes are shown on the SG diagram as strips or lines with dimensions. Pull the diagram before you buy to see whether a right of way or services servitude crosses the land.

Do I need a surveyor to check boundaries before buying?

Usually not — the existing SG diagram is enough to confirm the extent and where the boundaries run. You only need a surveyor if a beacon is missing, there's a clear encroachment, or you're building right on the boundary.