Property and land guides

Is a fence on the boundary? Check property lines first

On this page
  1. Why this matters before you act
  2. What the boundary check actually shows
  3. When you need more than a satellite check
  4. Free to check, Pro for unlimited
  5. Related checks

Compare the mapped parcel boundary with a visible fence on satellite imagery as a first visual check. If the two appear to differ, the cause could be the fence position, cadastral mapping accuracy or imagery alignment. MapMyLot cannot determine whether a fence is legally on the boundary; a licensed surveyor can establish the line on the ground.

Check a fence against the boundary now - free

Check an address free

Five free address lookups a day, no account needed. Additional readouts depend on local data coverage.

Why this matters before you act

A fence that has stood in the same place for years is not automatically on the true boundary - fences get built to a tradesperson's best guess, to an old (sometimes incorrect) marker, or simply where it was convenient, and small discrepancies of a metre or more are common on older properties. Confirming roughly where the real line sits before a conversation, a rebuild, or a dispute means you are arguing from the actual boundary, not a shared assumption that turns out to be wrong.

What the boundary check actually shows

MapMyLot map view with the property boundary highlighted in teal for a Queensland (Paddington) address

MapMyLot's readout shows the cadastral boundary polygon, sourced from the relevant government cadastral dataset for the property's jurisdiction (in Australia, coordinated by ICSM), plus land area and perimeter. The line is subject to positional variation by location and source dataset - enough to flag an obvious discrepancy, not enough to settle a contested boundary.

When you need more than a satellite check

If a fence looks materially off the cadastral line, or a neighbour disputes where it should sit, the next step is a formal boundary determination from a registered surveyor, not a DIY measurement or an argument built on a MapMyLot screenshot. Queensland residents can start with the state's fencing and neighbour disputes guidance for the legal process. The satellite check exists to tell you whether that step is worth taking, not to replace it.

Note: cadastral boundary data is subject to positional variation by location and source dataset and is not a substitute for a licensed survey. For a fence line dispute, engage a registered surveyor.

Free to check, Pro for unlimited

Five address lookups a day are free, with no account required - enough to check a fence on a handful of properties. MapMyLot Pro, at A$19.99 a month, removes the daily limit and adds unlimited PDF boundary reports, useful if you are checking several fences across multiple properties, or want a report to hand to a neighbour or a surveyor as a starting point. A single PDF report is also available for A$4.99 without a subscription.

See how lot size is calculated, or check a property's proximity to power lines, flood zones, the coast, and parks.

Check a fence against the boundary now - free

Check an address free

Five free address lookups a day, no account needed. Additional readouts depend on local data coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Can MapMyLot tell me if a fence is exactly on the boundary?

No. MapMyLot shows the cadastral boundary line, subject to positional variation by location and source dataset, against a satellite or street map so you can see whether a fence looks roughly on, inside, or outside the line. It cannot give a precise, legally binding answer - only a registered surveyor doing a boundary determination can.

What should I do if a fence looks clearly off the boundary?

Use the MapMyLot check as a starting point, not a conclusion. If the discrepancy looks material, engage a registered surveyor for a formal boundary determination before raising it with a neighbour or making any changes yourself.

Does this work for any Australian state?

Yes, everywhere MapMyLot has cadastral coverage: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT, plus New Zealand, several Canadian provinces, and England, Wales, and Scotland.

Is my area included?

MapMyLot currently covers:

  • Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT
  • Canada: British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Yukon
  • New Zealand
  • UK: England, Wales, and Scotland

Search your address directly to confirm. An address outside these areas will not return a boundary, and MapMyLot will say so rather than showing a guess.

How much does a fence usually drift from the true boundary?

There is no single figure - it depends entirely on how and when the fence was built. Discrepancies of a metre or more are common on older properties, particularly where a fence was built to a visual guess rather than a survey peg. MapMyLot's cadastral line is a fast way to see whether a given fence looks roughly right or worth investigating further.