Hello,

I have a property in dekalb county, and my back yard is small. There is an alley and lots behind me that are undeveloped and are currently woods. I was told that I could get part or the entire alley by obtaining a quitclaim deed from the county. If some one could explain were do I need to go to do this and what I need.

Thank you,

atlg-man

The county may not give you a quit claim deed to the alley as they might consider it an easement property. Contact the county for further info on this.

What department do I need to contact.

Try the County Clerk's office first. If that's not the right place then they can direct you.

Your first step is to contact the county clerk and find out who the owner of the property is. If it is the county or municipality, then you would need to approach the mayor or equivalent supervisor for the governmental agency that owns the property and offer to buy it from them.

But don't be surprised if they don't want to sell. Often an alley like that is reserved for access to the properties for garbage collection or similar.

Yes you need to check the deed and plot maps and see how the property is listed, if this is considered a activte alley ( even if not used) they don't have to give it to anyone, since they retain the rights to use it if they want to. This happened in my moms property, the alley was not used for over 30 years that I could ever remember, and then they started doing trash pickup though the back and it started being used, one property owner tried to block it and they were fined.

But the city counsel will have to agree to sell ( or give) it to you, you will have to first find the legal status, and then get with your local cousel person and have to present this to the entire cousel. You can also start working on this though the city managers office.