real-estate philippines trees
Is it legal to plant lots of trees and plant in an unoccupied lot?
<p><strong>Background:</strong> </p>

<p>Adjacent to our house is an empty lot that has been neglected: its owner lives in another country, and it has collected litter.</p>

<p>My parents said that they discussed purchasing the lot from the owner but couldn't agree on a price.</p>

<p>Months have passed since I planted lots of plants there, most of them are fruit bearing plants and vegetables.</p>

<p><strong>Question:</strong> </p>

<p>I am thinking now what if the owner of the lot checks it someday and discovers that I've been using the lot to grow crops without her permission?  Have I violated any laws?  Or do I have rights to use a neglected lot in that fashion?</p>

<p><strong>Edit: Added more information</strong></p>

<p>The vacant lot has been abandoned since I was born, it's been more than decades!</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Have I violated any laws? Or do I have rights to use a neglected lot in that fashion?</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Probably. No.</strong></p>

<p>I am unfamiliar with Philippine law; I do not even know if it is common law or civil law based, so I will just set out general principles that should be applicable.</p>

<p>If it is not your land you do not have the right to do anything to it. Unless you have been prohibited from entering; either explicitly or because there is a sign or fence then you may enter and cross the property, otherwise entering is trespass.</p>

<p>By planting crops on the land without permission you have definitely trespassed and would be liable for the cost of removing them if the owner wanted you to. Notwithstanding, as fixtures to the land, the plants legally belong to the owner as does any fruit/seeds they produce; if you take these you are stealing. </p>
