Boundary lines and easements

This page has information about legal boundary lines and easements for properties in the Northern Territory (NT).

Boundary lines

When you buy a house, a lot or block in a new or existing sub-division or a rural property you need to know your legal boundary lines.

Land boundaries are important because they tell you the legal size and shape of the piece of land you own or want to buy.

The boundaries also show you the area you are responsible for, where you can put fences and buildings and they help councils and governments calculate the amount of rates and taxes you may need to pay.

How to find information on boundary lines

To find details on the legal boundary lines of your property or any other property contact your nearest Lands Planning front counter.

Easements

You may find an easement registered on your Land Title. 

This legally gives someone who is not the owner, like local councils and PowerWater, permission to come onto your property.

The most common easements are to give access or right of way to another property, or to allow a government agency to come onto your property to do work. 

You must be careful when you plan and build on your property if you have an easement so it can still be accessed.

This work includes all of the following: 

• your house 
• garage or 
• swimming pool and 
• landscaping. 

Different types of easements

There are two main types of easements, access or right of way easement and a utility easement.  

Access or right of way easement

This can include areas, like shared roads or driveways, that allow another land owner to have access to their property or it can give a right of access to your land for a specific reason.

Utility easement

This can include a drainage, power or sewerage easement. 

In the NT a registered utility easement gives PowerWater or your local council legal permission to come onto your property, with prior notice, to do any necessary maintenance or checks. 

How to find information on easements

Details of any easements are registered on your Land Title. 

This will show:

• where the easement is 
• any measurements or plans and 
• identify who has the right of access. 

You can check yourself by doing a Land Title search for a fee and you can also buy other documents that relate to a registered easement.

If you are looking at buying a house or some land, ask the seller or agent about any easements that may exist or check yourself by doing a Land Title search for a fee.

When easements are not on a land title

Sometimes easements are not registered on a land title.

This can include underground water pipes or data cables.

Before you start any digging or drilling you can check if there are any underground services on your property by contacting Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or PowerWater on 1800 245 092.

Contact

You can contact your nearest Land Titles Office if you have any questions about doing a Land Title search.

Phone: (08) 8999 6520.