Land Torts Flashcards
What is the definition of Private Nusiance?
Unlawful interference with a person’s use or enjoyment of land
- Unlawful: unreasonable and substantial
- Interference: indirect (encroachment, damage, quiet enjoyment)
- continuous
- recoverable damage
Who can sue in private nuisance (and Rylands v Fletcher)?
C must have the right to exclusive possession of land
(owner/occupier OR tenant OR licensee with exclusive possession)
NOT children / guest
Who is liable in private nuisance?
And Rylands v Fletcher / Public Nuisance
Creator or Occupier
When may an occupier be liable for a nuisance / escape they did not create?
Created by:
* Employee in course of employment
* Contractor if nature of work causes an inevitable nuisance
* visitor / trespasser / predecessor if occupier adopts or continues it
* natural occurence if occupier adopts or continues it
When will an occupier be deemed to have adopted or continued a nuisance / escape created by 3rd party or natural occurence?
Applies to private nuisance, rylands v fletcher and public nuisance
Adopt: make use
Continue: knows AND fails to take reasonable steps
When will a landlord be liable for a nuisance / escape?
GR: LL is not liable
EXCEPTION: LL will be liable if:
* authorised nuisance (e.g. leasing land for purpose (race track))
* Nuisance existed at start of letting and LL knew or ought to have known of it
* covenant to repair AND fails to make repairs which give rise to nuisance (tenant also liable)
What must a claimant show to sue in private nuisance?
- Indirect interference (encroachment, direct physical injury or quiet enjoyment)
- Recognised damage (property, SPD, consequential losses)
- Continuous
- Unlawful (substantial and unreasonable)
No claim for personal injury
What factors will the court consider to determine whether an interference is unlawful in private nuisance?
- Duration and frequency
- Far removed from normal behaviour and impacts C
- Character of neighbourhood (not relevant to property damage)
- Malice (automatically unlawful)
- Impacts a normal user ignoring abnormal sensitivity
Does planning permission alter character of neighbourhood in private nuisance?
No can still be unlawful despite planning permission
6 defences
What are effective defences in private nuisance?
- Prescription: Actionable for 20 years
- Statutory Authority
- Contributory Negligence
- Consent
- Act of God + no adoption or continuance
- Necessity: imminent danger to life, no negligence and D’s actions reasonable
3
What are ineffective defences in private nuisance?
- C came to nuisance (i.e. C knew before bought) UNLESS C changes use AFTER D comenced activity (i.e. C went ahead with change knowing thats how D used their land)
- others contibuted to nuisance
- Planning permission
What damages will be awared for personal discomfort in private nuisance?
Loss of amenity value (difference between land without nuisance and with nuisance)
When may a quia timet injunction be awarded (i.e. injunction awarded before D commits tort)
- Damage is almost certain
- Action is imminent
- D will not stop otherwise
When may damages in lieu of an injunction be awarded in private nuisance?
- Harm is small
- Harm is capable of financial quantification (not SPD)
- Damages are adequate
- Injunction would be oppressive to D
When can C exercise right of abatement?
C can remove interference provided:
1. Prior notice to D (unless can remove without entering land)
2. Returns branches to D once removed