Can I buy this right of way?

THERE is a track next to my house that has only been used by myself for 20 years. Is there a way that I can buy or claim it? B.W.

Francois Trémosa, a notaire with the Groupe Monassier at Toulouse, said the mere fact that you have been using the path for the past 20 years does not give you any right to buy it.

Ask your mairie about its status (ie. is it privately owned, and by whom, or is it public land?), then contact the owner to ask if you can buy it.

There is a legal procedure whereby a person can apply to a court for ownership of land you have treated as your own for 30 years, which is not the case here, but even then, you would need to do more than just walk on it regularly.