Property Flashcards
What duties does a life tenant have?
- Duty to pay current charges
- Duty to prevent waste
- Duty to make ordinary repairs
Who presumptively bears the risk of loss in a land sale contract?
The buyer (equitable title) before closing (majority)
Uniform Vendor and Purchaser Risk Act imposes loss on seller before closing (minority)
Adverse possession
- Exclusive
- Continuous (PA: 21 years)
- Hostile (PA: implied if other elements satisfied)
- Open
What does the Shelter Rule do?
A person who receives property from a bona fide purchaser is entitled to the same protection under the recording act as the BFP.
When is an easement of necessity implied?
- Necessity
- Common ownership
- Easement arose from severance
When is an express equitable servitude enforceable?
- In writing (cf SOF)
- intent to run
- Touch and concern
- Notice
What rights does a life tenant have?
- Right of possession
- Right to rents
- Right to lease, sell, or mortgage interest
Rule of Shelley’s Case
Prevents contingent remainders in grantee’s heirs (fee simple absolute to grantee)
NOT in PA
Doctrine of Worthier Title
Prevents contingent remainders in the grantor’s heirs (reversion to grantor)
NOT in PA
Rule against perpetuities
Specific future interests are valid only if they must vest or fail by the end of a life in being plus 21 years.
In PA dead as of Dec 31, 2006
Rule of convenience
A rule of interpretation that closes membership in a class (and prevents RAP csqs) whenever any member of the class is entitled to immediate possession of a share of the class gift.
“Wait and see” approach to RAP
The Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities adopts a wait and see stance, which make an otherwise invalid interest valid if it actually vests within 90 years of its creation.
PA approach before December 31, 2006
How can a joint tenancy be determined?
Four unities (PITT)
Possession
Interest
Time
Title
For a tenancy in entirety, fifth unity: person
Does a mortgage sever a joint tenancy?
In lien theory states (majority), no; only upon foreclosure following default
In title theory (minority), granting of mortgage is a transfer of title that severs JT and gives mortgagee a tenancy in common.
What does a tenancy by the entirety do?
Prevents either spouse from alienating or encumbering the property without the consent of the other.
Where recognized, rebuttable presumption that it is created when conveyed.
What does the FHA prohibit?
- Discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and family status
- in (eg) rent, advertisement, of housing)
Who is exempt from the FHA?
- buildings with 4 or less units
- SF homes sold/rented without broker
- housing by religious orgs and private clubs that limit to members
How can discrimination be proved under the FHA?
- Disparate impact for race
2. Occupancy restrictions except reasonable zoning restrictions on maximum occupancy
What must a lease agreement contain for a tenancy for years?
- parties
- Premises
- Duration
- Rent
- Signed by tenant
When does a landlord have a duty to repair in commercial leases?
- So substantial it would not fall within CL repair duty OR
- Value would primarily inure to landlord
What may a tenant do in breach of the warrant of habitability?
- Refuse to pay rent
- Remedy the defect and offset
- Defend against eviction
When is the covenant of quiet enjoyment breached?
When the landlord or someone with superior title prevents the tenant from possession
What are a landlord’s duties of care?
CL: common and public areas, areas in landlords control, or hidden defect or faulty repair
Modern/PA: general duty of reasonable care
What are the essential terms of a land sale contract?
- Parties
- Property description
- Price
What are the six covenants of a general warranty deed?
- Seisin
- Right to convey
- Against encumbrances
- quiet enjoyment
- warranty
- further assurances
What is the covenant of seisin?
Grantor owns the land as described in deed