Kiinteistörajat

Kiinteistörajat, or kiinteistöraja, refer to the boundary line that separates two real estate units in Finland. The legal boundary is defined in the real estate register (kiinteistörekisteri) and shown on the cadastral map. In practice the line can be described by precise coordinates and, where appropriate, marked on the ground with physical boundary markers such as stones, posts, or fences. However, physical markers do not alone determine the legal boundary; the cadastral description governs.

The establishment and modification of kiinteistörajat are regulated by cadastral processes carried out under the authority of the National Land Survey of Finland (Maanmittauslaitos) and local cadastral offices. When parcels are created, split, merged, or otherwise altered, the boundary lines are measured and recorded. The resulting boundary information is used in the kiinteistörekisteri and reflected in the official deed (kauppakirja) and register documents.

Ground markers are commonly used to indicate a boundary in the field, but they may be moved or damaged without automatically changing the legal boundary, which is defined by the cadastral description. Any change to the kiinteistöraja generally requires a formal cadastral procedure and official registration.

Disputes about kiinteistörajat can be settled through negotiation, mediation, or administrative and judicial processes. Licensed land surveyors prepare boundary surveys, and final determinations may be issued by the cadastral authority or by a court if needed.

Accurate kiinteistörajat affect building permits, easements, access rights, and neighbor relations, and thus are essential for property rights and land use planning.