City homeowners are increasingly looking to buy parts of their neighbours’ gardens to gain more space, particularly in London and prime commuter belt areas where outdoor space is limited and extensions are difficult. Sophie de Rosée describes her own desire for an extra 10ft on either side of her 50ft back garden, noting her satisfaction has dropped from nine to six out of 10 over 15 years due to family growth and clutter. She dreams of a T-shaped garden layout with an office and raised beds.

Annabel Dean of Farrer & Co confirms a rise in such “creative” purchases, noting they can benefit both parties: sellers realise value from underused land, while buyers avoid the disruption of major extensions. However, she warns of complexities including title boundaries, access rights, services, restrictive covenants, planning rules, and tax implications. Social media examples, like Ginny Brennan’s video of her neighbour’s underused 2-acre Texas garden, show public interest and mixed reactions.

Architect Rupert Scott shares successful land swaps, including a cost-neutral deal with a butcher and providing architectural drawings in exchange for a 12 sq ft strip to access a secondary road. These deals require careful negotiation but offer a practical alternative to moving or building extensions.