Law
Comparative Legal Approaches to Adverse Possession in Urban Areas
Quick fact
In England and Wales, the period for adverse possession of unregistered land is 12 years, but for registered land it was shortened to 10 years (and no longer applies to criminal trespassers). Meanwhile, in Germany, adverse possession generally requires 30 years of possession, and in many US states the period is as short as 5–7 years.
Why this is interesting
Imagine someone living in an abandoned city house for years, eventually becoming its legal owner. Could that really happen? In some places, yes—but the rules differ dramatically from country to country.