Modules 1-11 Flashcards
JTWROS
alienable inter vivos; not descendible or devisable
4 unities of JTWROS
- Time - created at the same time
- Title - conveyed by the same title
- Identical - tenants have identical interests
- Possession - both tenants have right to possess the whole
Severance of JTWROS
SAP (sale and partition)
can sell during lifetime
3 types of partition
1. voluntary agreement
2. partition in kind - physical division of the property
3. forced sale - land is sold and sale proceeds are divided proportionately
transactions that do not result in severance of joint tenancy
Mortgages, effect of one joint tenant murdering another (forms tenancy in common), testamentary disposition has no effect (will does not work)
lien theory (majority)
lien on title does not sever joint tenancy; severance only occurs if the mortgage is foreclosed and the property is sold
title theory (minority)
severs joint tenancy; giving creditor lien on one’s share is the equivalent of transferring title to that creditor
tenancy by the entirety
created only between marital partners; creditors of one spouse cannot touch the tenancy; one spouse acting alone cannot defeat the right of survivorship by unilaterally conveying to a third party
sever by divorce, mutual agreement, or execution of joint creditor of BOTH spouses
tenancy by the entirety and divorce
becomes tenancy in common
tenancy in common
no right of survivorship; each co-tenant owns individual part and each haas a right to possess the whole; interest is devisable, descendible, and alienable
one co-tenant cannot exclude other co-tenants until what?
they have committed ouster
rents and profits of co-tenant in exclusive possession
dont need to share profits with non-possession co-tenants absent ouster or agreement to contrary
co-tenant who leases property to third party must share profits to the percentage of each co-tenant’s ownership interest
repairs of property by co-tenants
entitled to reimbursement for reasonable, necessary repairs if they have notified other co-tenants about it
Does a co-tenant have entitlement to contribution for improvements?
NO
Co-tenants cannot commit _____________.
waste
voluntary waste
willful destruction
permissive waste
neglect
ameliorative waste/affirmative waste
unilateral change that increases the value; co-tenants must be reimbursed if there was sentimental value that was destroyed and it can be quantified
tenancy for years - “I can see your end date”
fixed, determined period of time; ends automatically act its termination date
termination of tenancy for years upon breach of lease covenant
landlord reserves the right of entry, which allows them to terminate the lease if the tenant breaks any lease covenants
tenant’s duty to repair if the lease is silent
- maintain premises
- make routine repairs
- no ordinary wear and tear repairs
periodic tenancy - “the lease goes on and on and on and on”
continues for successive intervals until either the landlord or the tenant gives proper notice of termination
creation of periodic tenancy
can be express or implied (no mention of duration, but payments made on monthly basis)
termination of periodic tenancy
notice (usually written) must be given; at least equal to the length of the period itself, unless otherwise agreed
notice required for month-to-month lease
1 month
notice required for week-to-week lease
1 week
notice required fro year-to-year or greater
6 months at common law; 1 month under restatement
tenancy at will - “as long as you love (lease) me”
no fixed period or duration; terminates at the will of either the landlord or the tenant
“to T for was long was L or T desires”
creation of tenancy at will
must be created by express agreement; payment of regular rent will cause a court to treat the tenancy asa an implied periodic tenancy
tenancy at sufferance - “you say you wont let go”
created when tenant wrongfully holds over; remains in possession past the expiration of the lease
termination of tenancy at sufferance
only until the landlord either evicts the tenant or elects to hold the tenant to a new lease; no notice required
holdover tenancy retains character of ________________ based on previous payments
original lease agreement
exceptions to holdover doctrine
- tenant remains in possession only a few hours after the termination or leaves a few articles of personal property
- the delay is not the tenant’s fault
options to purchase
separate k supported by consideration; contained within the lease itself, consideration for the lease supports the option
exercise of option
lasts as long as the lease; party granting the option may keep the consideration regardless of whether the option is exercised
If a ____________ title holder takes possession of an unused barn on leased premises, the tenant must still pay rent if farm equipment is stored in the barn
paramount title holder; if landlord breached covenant of quiet enjoyment, tenant would not have to pay rent at all
majority view of destruction of premises
tenant not liable if it was not their fault
landlord must not engage in self-help
cannot change the locks, forcibly remove the tenant, or remove any of the tenant’s belongings
tenant breaches covenant w/time still left on lease, but is out of possession - SIR
- surrender - tenant’s words/conduct indicate that they no longer wish to have the lease
- ignore the abandonment - hold the tenant responsible for unpaid rent until natural end of the lease as if tenant was still there
- re-let the premises - must do to mitigate damages
condemnation of leaseholds
if entire leasehold is taken by eminent domain, the tenant’s liability for rend is extinguished; lessee entitled to compensation
if taking is temporary/partial, tenant is not discharged but is entitled to compensation
majority rule of landlords duty to deliver possession
actual physical possession of the premises at the beginning of the leasehold term; holdover = lease breached and tenant gets damages
implied covenant of quiet enjoyment
arises by implication in every residential and commercial lease; tenant has a right to quiet use and enjoyment of the premises without interference from the landlord or paramount title holder
actual eviction
landlord, paramount title holder, or hold-over excludes the tenant from the entire premises; terminates the tenant’s duty to pay rent
partial eviction
tenant is physically excluded from only part of the leased premises; if by landlord, relieves tenant of the duty to pay rent for the ENTIRE premises
constructive eviction
landlord’s breach of duty renders the premises unsuitable for occupancy
SING
1. substantial interference;
2. landlord was on notice; and
3. (goodbye) - tenant vacated
acts of other tenants as constructive eviction
landlord must:
1. abate a nuisance on site; and
2. control common areas
implied warranty of habitability
residential leases only; nonwaivable
premises must be fit for basic human habitation (bare living requirements must be met)
tenants entitlements when implied warranty of habitability is breached (MR3)
- move out and terminate
- repair and deduct
- reduce rent or withhold all
- remain in possession, pay full rent, and affirmatively seek money damages
retaliatory eviction
landlord may not terminate a lease or otherwise penalize a tenant in retaliation for a tenant’s exercise of their legal rights
most statutes presume retaliation if landlord acts within 90-180 days of tenant exercising their rights; landlord can overcome by showing valid, nonretailitory reason for their actions
Civil Rights Act
bars racial or ethnic discrimination in the sale or rental of all property
Fair Housing Act
protects tenants and potential tenants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability, as well as familial status
FHA does not apply to…
- owner-occupied buildings with FOUR OR FEWER units in which persons live INDEPENDENTLY of each other; and
- single-family homes sold or rented by an owner who owns NO MORE THAN THREE single-family homes