5 Common Property Disputes in Metro Manila and How to Resolve Them

Property disputes are among the most stressful legal problems a person can face. In Metro Manila, where land values are high and titles can be complicated, disputes arise frequently. Here are five of the most common property disputes and what you can do about them.

Boundary disputes occur when neighboring landowners disagree about where one property ends and another begins. This is especially common in older subdivisions and informal settlements. The legal remedy is usually an action to quiet title or an ejectment case, often requiring a geodetic engineer’s survey.

Overlapping titles happen when two TCTs cover the same piece of land due to errors in the Registry of Deeds or fraudulent transactions. Court action is required to cancel one of the titles and protect the rightful owner.

Unlawful detainer and ejectment cases arise when a person refuses to vacate property they have no legal right to occupy. The owner may file an ejectment case before the Metropolitan Trial Court — this must be done within one year of the unlawful entry or demand to vacate.

Co-ownership disputes commonly arise when property is inherited by multiple heirs and disagreements occur about how to use, sell, or divide the property. This requires either an extrajudicial settlement of estate or a court-supervised partition action.

Fake or fraudulent titles are unfortunately a serious problem in the Philippines. Buyers should always verify titles at the Registry of Deeds before any property purchase. Victims can file criminal charges for estafa or falsification of public documents.

Any of these disputes require prompt legal action. Delays can result in prescriptive periods lapsing or adverse claims strengthening against you. Bañares Law Office, led by Atty. Marcus Aurellius Bañares, specializes in property disputes, ejectment cases, and civil litigation across Metro Manila. Our office is at Sinocan Corporate Center, Aseana Business Park, Parañaque City. Call 0961-848-8671 or visit www.banareslaw.com to schedule a consultation.