Property Flashcards
Fee Simple
In present estates, fee simple is the default estate. A fee simple is created when the grantor uses any of the following language:
(1) “O to A”
(2) “O to A and his/her heirs”
(3) “O to A forever”
Defeasible Fee
A defeasible fee is a conveyance in fee simple in which the grantor places express conditions on the conveyance (e.g., “O to A on the condition that . . .”). A defeasible fee is capable of lasting forever, but may be terminated by the occurrence of an event.
A defeasible fee gives the grantee a present possessory interest in the property, but reserves a future interest in the property in the favor of the grantor or a third party. There are three main types of defeasible fees:
(1) Fee Simple Determinable
(2) Fee Simple Subject to Condition Subsequent
(3) Fee Simple Subject to Executory Interest
Fee Simple Determinable
A fee simple determinable is a conditional conveyance in which the grantor retains a possibility of reverter. The possibility of reverter vests automatically when the condition fails (i.e., the grantor does not have to reclaim the property, the interest automatically vests back to him). A fee simple determinable is created when the grantor uses durational language, such as:
(a) “While the property is used for farming”
(b) “During the property’s use as a farm”
(c) “Until the property is no longer used as a farm”
Fee Simple Subject to Condition Subsequent
A fee simple subject to condition subsequent is a conditional conveyance in which the grantor retains a right of entry. The right of entry does NOT vest automatically when the condition fails (i.e., the grantor must reclaim the property). A fee simple subject to condition subsequent is created when the grantor uses conditional language, such as:
(a) “Provided that the property is used for farming”
(b) “On the condition that the property is used as a farm”
Fee Simple Subject to Executory Interest
A fee simple subject to executory interest is a conditional conveyance in which a third party (not the grantor) is granted an executory interest in the property. An executory interest is a future interest that divests (i.e., terminates) an earlier interest. For example:
(a) “O conveys Greenacre to A and his heirs, but if Greenacre is no longer used as a farm, then to B and her heirs.” A has a fee simple subject to an executory interest. B has an executory interest, because B is a third party (not the grantor) and her interest divests A’s interest.
Life Estate
A life estate is a present possessory estate that is limited by a person’s life (terminates when the measuring life dies). A life estate is created when the grantor uses the following language:
(1) “O to A for A’s life” (A is the measuring life – life estate terminates when A dies)
(2) “O to A for B’s life” (B is the measuring life – life estate terminates when B dies)
Transferability of a Life Estate
A life estate is transferable. The transferee’s interest in the property terminates upon the death of the measuring life.
Life Estate: Reversion
If possession of the land goes back to the grantor after the life estate terminates, then the grantor retains a reversion.
Life Estate: Vested and Contingent Remainders
If possession of the land goes to a third party after the life estate terminates, then the third party takes a remainder. A remainder can be vested or contingent. A vested remainder is a future interest that is both:
(a) Given to an ascertained (i.e., readily identifiable) grantee; AND
(b) NOT subject to a condition precedent (i.e., a condition that must be satisfied in order for the interest to vest).
If either of the two above elements fail, the remainder is contingent.
Tenancy in Common
A tenancy in common is the default estate created by a conveyance of real property to two or more people. The grantor need NOT use any type of explicit language to create a tenancy in common (e.g., “O to A and B”). Each tenant in common has:
(1) A separate but undivided interest in the property (i.e., the property does not have to be physically divided);
(2) The right to possess and enjoy the entire property; AND
(3) The right to transfer their interest in the property freely during their lifetime or at death (i.e., NO right of survivorship).
Joint Tenancy
A joint tenancy is a conveyance of real property to two or more people that is distinguished by a right of survivorship, whereby the surviving joint tenants
automatically take the deceased tenant’s property interest. Thus, joint tenants CANNOT pass their property interest by will or intestate succession (at death, their property interest automatically passes to the other joint tenants). To create a joint tenancy, the grantor must clearly express his intent to create a joint tenancy by using survivorship language (e.g., “as joint tenants with a right of survivorship”). Additionally, the “four unities” (P.I.T.T.) must be in place to create a joint tenancy:
(1) Possession. Each joint tenant must have an equal right to posses and enjoy the whole property (also required for tenants in common).
(2) Interest. Each joint tenant must have an equal share of the same type of interest (e.g., two joint tenants each have a 50% share in fee simple).
(3) Time. Joint tenants must receive their property interests at the same time.
(4) Title. Joint tenants must receive their property interest in the same instrument of title.
Severance of Joint Tenancy by Conveyance
If any of the four unities (P.I.T.T.) are severed (i.e., destroyed), then the joint tenancy is terminated and the co-tenants hold the property as tenants in common. There are two main situations where this happens: When a joint tenant conveys her interest to a third party, that party takes the property as a tenant in common (clearly destroys the time and title unities).
If there were originally two joint tenants, the conveyance converts the estate into a tenancy in common (i.e., the two tenants are now tenants
in common with no right of survivorship).
If there were originally three or more joint tenants, the joint tenancy remains among the other joint tenants not involved in the conveyance while the third party is a tenant in common.
Severance of Joint Tenancy by Mortgage
When a joint tenant grants a mortgage interest in the joint tenancy to a creditor, the effect will depend on the jurisdiction:
(1) In a lien theory jurisdiction (majority view), the mortgage is treated as a lien and does NOT terminate the joint tenancy.
(2) In a title theory jurisdiction (minority view), the mortgage will terminate the joint tenancy, and the tenants will then hold the property as tenants in common.
Co-Tenant Division of Operating Expenses and Rent Payments
Operating expenses are divided based on the ownership interests of each cotenant. Operating expenses consist of necessary charges (e.g., taxes and mortgage payments).
Rent payments received from a third party’s possession of the property, minus operating expenses, are divided based on the ownership interests of each cotenant.
Co-Tenant Division of Repair Costs and Improvement Costs
Repair costs (even if the repairs are necessary) are NOT divided between the cotenants (i.e., there is no right for reimbursement for necessary repair costs). However, the cotenant who pays for the repairs can get credit for the repairs in a partition action.
Improvement costs are NOT divided between the cotenants (i.e., there is no right for reimbursement for improvement costs). However, the cotenant who pays for the improvements can get credit for the repairs in a partition action.
Ouster
Each cotenant (whether a joint tenant or tenant in common) has the right to possess ALL of the property, regardless of ownership share. An ouster occurs if a cotenant denies another cotenant access to the property. If this occurs, the ousted tenant can:
(1) Get an injunction granting access to the property; AND/OR
(2) Recover damages for the value of the use while ousted.
Partition in Kind
A partition action is an equitable remedy that is available unilaterally to joint tenants and tenants in common.
A partition in kind physically divides the property into distinct portions. Courts have a preference for physical divisions of property over forced sales.
Partition by Sale
A partition by sale involves selling the property and dividing the proceeds from the sale among each cotenant based on their ownership interests. Courts will order a partition by sale if a partition in kind is:
(a) NOT practicable;
OR
(b) NOT fair to all parties.
Leasehold Interest
The relationship between a landlord and a tenant can create four types of possessory estates (tenancy for years, periodic tenancy, tenancy at will, and tenancy at sufferance).
This relationship is generally governed by a contract (the “lease”), which contains the covenants of the parties. Generally, each party must perform his promises pursuant to the lease whether or not the other party performs his promises.
Leasehold: Tenancy for Years
A tenancy for years is an interest that lasts for a fixed and ascertainable amount of time (e.g., Landlord leases Greenacre to Tenant for 6 months). If the term is longer than one year, then the agreement must be in writing because of the statute of frauds. A tenancy for years automatically terminates when the term expires.
Leasehold: Tenancy at Will
A tenancy at will continues until it is terminated by either party. It may be terminated at any time for any reason, and may be terminated without notice. If either party dies, the tenancy at will is terminated. The parties must intend to create a tenancy at will. Intent can be express (e.g., a specific term in the signed lease agreement gives either party or
both parties the “right to terminate at will”) OR implied (e.g., ongoing payment of rent at will).
If the agreement gives only the landlord the right to terminate at will, the tenant also gets the right to terminate implicitly.
If the agreement gives only the tenant the right to terminate at will, the landlord is NOT given the right to terminate at will.
Leasehold: Periodic Tenancy
A periodic tenancy is a repetitive and ongoing interest that continues for a set period of time UNTIL it is terminated by proper notice from either party (e.g., month-to-month lease, year-to-year lease, etc.). The parties must intend to create a periodic tenancy. Intent can be express (e.g., a specific term in the signed lease agreement) OR implied (e.g., ongoing payment of rent).
Proper notice requires the terminating party to give notice before the start of what will be the last term. The notice is effective on the last day of the term (e.g., Landlord leases Greenacre to Tenant on a month-to-month basis. If Tenant gives proper notice of termination on June 11, the termination will be effective on July 31).
Leasehold: Tenancy at Sufferance
A tenancy at sufferance is created when the tenant refuses to vacate the premises after his lease has terminated. This situation creates a temporary tenancy, where the terms of the prior lease control, until:
(1) The landlord evicts the tenant;
(2) The landlord re-leases the property to the tenant; OR
(3) The tenant voluntarily vacates.