From Modest Start to Million-Dollar Value
A long-running Surrey property dispute has landed in court after a $690,000 purchase in 1996 skyrocketed in value to more than $25 million today. The 4.3-acre site on 152 Street, once zoned for agriculture, has now become the centre of a bitter legal fight between friends who originally invested together.
The Original Agreement
Harjinder Cheema bought the land nearly three decades ago with help from friends Gurdarshan Mand and Kuldip Gill. Each friend contributed 10 percent of the purchase price and maintenance costs in exchange for a shared ownership interest. Cheema, however, held those shares in trust.
What began as a friendly agreement has since unraveled. Now, the dispute over who truly owns how much of the property has escalated into a full legal battle before the B.C. Supreme Court.
Court Steps In
Justice Lauren Blake issued a 128-page ruling this week after a trial that stretched an astonishing 108 days across 19 months. She concluded that despite credibility concerns with all three men, Mand and Gill still retain 20 percent ownership. Cheema holds the remaining 80 percent.
Blake determined the property must be sold, noting that continued co-ownership would only fuel more conflict and endless legal battles.
Why the Land’s Value Soared
The property’s value tells an extraordinary story. Purchased for $690,000 in 1996, the site is now assessed at $25,555,900 for 2025. That’s a staggering 3,703 percent increase—more than 37 times its original price.
Although zoned for agriculture, the site hasn’t operated as farmland. Instead, city plans now designate it for mixed employment and business park development. An appraiser confirmed its “highest and best use” lies in redevelopment rather than farming.
The Property Today
The modest home built in 1969 still sits on the land. With six bedrooms and three bathrooms, the house itself contributes only $32,900 to the overall assessed value. The land, not the structure, carries nearly all the worth.
Complex Financial Orders
Blake ordered that once the property is sold, Mand and Gill will receive 20 percent of the proceeds, minus their share of commissions, closing costs, and taxes. Their share will also be adjusted for past rental income, mortgages, and unpaid lease amounts linked to Cheema Bros. Transport Ltd.
The judge also directed another hearing to finalize costs and additional financial details.
What’s Next
The property must be listed for sale within 60 days of the ruling. With its massive appreciation and prime location, the sale is expected to draw significant interest.
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