Common Mythmisunderstandinglawboundaries
The Myth: You Own the Land All the Way Up to Space
Homeowners often believe they own the airspace above their property infinitely. In reality, your air rights are severely legally restricted.
There is an ancient legal maxim that states 'whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to heaven and down to hell'. While romantic, modern UK law severely limits this.
You do own the 'lower airspace' immediately above your roof—enough to stop a neighbor's crane swinging over your garden or a sign projecting over your boundary without permission. However, the Civil Aviation Act 1982 explicitly states that you have no legal right to sue an aircraft for trespassing in the 'upper airspace' above your property. You cannot demand a toll from British Airways just because their flight path crosses your chimney.