ADV1 Form: Claim Adverse Possession (with ST1 Statement)

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Get the official ADV1

ADV1 is published free by HM Land Registry. Download it from the official page, then use the walkthrough on this page to complete it.

Open the official ADV1 page on GOV.UK →

Quick answer: If you’ve occupied land as your own without the owner’s permission for long enough, you may claim it by adverse possession. For registered land you apply on Form ADV1 with an ST1 statement of truth after 10 years; for unregistered land the period is generally 12 years.

Adverse possession (“squatter’s rights”) lets long-standing factual possession become legal ownership — but the rules for registered land are strict and the owner gets a chance to object.

What is it?

A claim to be registered as owner of land you have possessed openly, exclusively and without permission. For registered land it’s governed by the Land Registration Act 2002 (Form ADV1 + ST1); for unregistered land, the Limitation Act 1980.

Who needs it & when

Occupiers who have treated land as their own — e.g. a strip beyond a boundary, or unused land — for the qualifying period, intending to possess it. If the dispute is about building work at a shared boundary rather than who owns the land, see our party wall notice guide.

Deadlines & key rules

Registered land: apply on ADV1 after 10 years‘ adverse possession, supported by an ST1 statement of truth.
The registered owner is notified and can object; if they do, the application usually fails unless an exception applies — but you may reapply after a further 2 years in some cases.
Unregistered land: generally 12 years before the owner’s title is barred.
Possession must be factual, exclusive, without consent, and with intention to possess. A false statement of truth is a serious matter.

How to do it — step by step

Confirm the land’s status (registered or not) and your period of possession.
Gather evidence — photos, fencing, maintenance, witness statements, dates.
Complete ADV1 and the ST1 statement of truth setting out the facts.
Submit to HM Land Registry; respond to any objection.

How Chris helps

Tell Chris the history of your occupation and Chris drafts your ADV1 and ST1 statement of truth to a high, professional standard — you check, sign and submit. Not a law firm.

See it done — an ST1 statement of truth, drafted in minutes

An ST1 statement of truth supporting an adverse-possession application, drafted to a high, professional standard — Chris builds it from your facts in minutes. Scroll the sample below.

DRAFTED BY CHRIS · sampleSCROLL ↓

STATEMENT OF TRUTH (Form ST1) — ADVERSE POSSESSION

I, Robert Finch, of 3 Lower Meadow, Sampletown, state:

1. I apply to be registered as proprietor of the land edged red on the attached plan (‘the Land’), a strip to the rear of my property.

2. I have been in factual possession of the Land since March 2014, having fenced it, maintained it as garden, and used it exclusively.

3. My possession has been open, without the owner’s permission, and with the intention to possess.

4. No one has challenged my occupation during that time.

Statement of Truth: I believe that the facts stated in this statement are true.

Illustrative sample with fictional names and details. Chris drafts yours from your own facts; you check, sign and submit.

Draft your possession papers →

Last reviewed: June 2026 · England & Wales · CIC No. 16566612 — not a law firm.

Form content and official guidance on this page are reproduced or adapted from material published by HM Land Registry on GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. eLitigant CIC is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, HM Land Registry or any government department. Always check the current official form on GOV.UK before you file.