16/04/2026
A ransom strip is a small but strategically located piece of land -often only a few inches wide - that separates a property from access to a public road or essential services. Despite its size, it can have a significant impact.
Such strips may be deliberately retained by sellers to extract substantial profits later, or they may arise unintentionally due to oversight by a purchaserโs solicitor. Regardless of how they come into existence, ransom strips can severely restrict a landownerโs right of access and egress. They may also impede access to vital services such as drainage, cables, ducts, and lighting.
If you find yourself in such a situation and the owner of the ransom strip is demanding an excessive price, the first step is to investigate ownership of the land. In many cases - particularly where land has been sold off in parts from a larger estate- ownership of the strip may be unclear. This uncertainty can provide a useful negotiating position.
If there is a stalemate on the price, the law offers guidance as in Stokes v Cambridge, the general rule is that the value of a ransom strip is typically assessed at one-third of the increase in value of the adjoining land made possible by that strip.
In property matters, even a few inches of land can hold immense power. Always carry out thorough due diligence before buying!
