real estate easments

(california) my mother-in-law bought her home over 5 years ago, it has a chain link fence all the around it with empty property on all sides. just recently the property right behind her sold and the people want to put two mobile homes back there which is fine, but come to find out that back in 1972, when the original owners of my moms house put up the fence they never surveyed the property. and now my mom is in a battle with the new owners behind her becasue they want to put there water line in the 20' easement that has been my moms fenced backyard. there are awnings, propane tank, cement patios, etc. and has been there for almost 30 years. i also believe her home is built past the easement. do these people have any right to make her move all of this for a water line that can go in behind the fence? is there such a thing called grandfather clause anymore? help please!!!

[HomeGuru]

Whose land is the easement on and who is the easement in favor of?
You need to check your Mom's survey and the title report and read the easement document.

I believe the easement is the new owners behind her, we have been to the building dept, the records dept to see if anyone has for some reason sold that 20' piece to someone before my mom boought the place, but have not came up with anything yet. my mom has never done a survey. did not think it was neccessary since the place had a chain link fence all the around it. the people behind her that bought that land just had a survey done and they put up flags on each side of my moms fence that would show where her land should end. if it is right then my moms house is about 10' in to the easement as well as her whole backyard. and it has been like this since 1972. for some reason the new people are making a big fuss about 20' when they have 3 acres. all for a waterline to be put in. we talked with the water company and they have no problem putting the waterline in behind the fence. i hope this helps you.

[HomeGuru]

Without the survey you would be just guessing.