PROPERTY Flashcards
Severing a Joint Tenancy
SIMP — Sale, Inter vivos transfer, Mortgage in a title theory state, or a Partition action.
Constructive Eviction
A tenant may be actually or constructively evicted. When a landlord has allowed the conditions of the premises to deteriorate to the point that the tenant is essentially forced out or has substantially interfered with the tenant’s use and enjoyment of the property, they may have been constructively evicted.
Total constructive eviction is a complete defense to all payment of rent.
Partial constructive eviction will only result in a reduction in rent.
Holdover Tenant/Tenant at Sufferance
When a tenant does not move out at the end of their lease, they will become a periodic tenant if the landlord wants them to remain or accepts any further rent.
A tenant who does not move out at the end of their rent will become a tenant at sufferance if the landlord does not want them to remain/does not accept further rent.
Tenancy at Will
Must be created by express agreement, and terminated whenever either party decides.
Also terminates if either party dies or if either party attempts to transfer their interest.
60 days’ notice of termination is required for landlords and 30 day’s notice of termination if required from the tenant.
Periodic Tenancy
Has a set beginning date but no set end date until notice of termination. May be created expressly or by implication with a holdover tenant.
Notice of termination can be oral or in writing, and must be equal to the rental period but no longer than 6 months before.
Term of Years Lease
A lease with a definite beginning and end date that, in Georgia, is at least longer than five years.
Ends at the set date with no required notice.
Allows for anticipatory repudiationt. The tenant is liable for all unpaid rent if no defense applies.
Creation of a Lease
Leases may be created orally, but must be in writing if for more than one year.
Rights and Duties of Cotenants
Each cotenant has equal rights to possession and profits from 3rd parties.
They also have a duty to pay proportionate shares of taxes/expenses.
There is no duty to make improvements, but a co-tenant who does make improvements may be recompensated from profits.
Co-tenants who make repairs may also be compensated from rent or sale.
PPP = possession; profits; proportionate share of expenses.
Tenancy by the Entirety
Concurrent ownership only for married couples, including a right of survivorship. Not applicable in Georgia.
Joint Tenancy
TTIP — Tenants must take at the same Time, on the same Title, with equal Interest and equal Possession.
Includes a right of survivorship. May be severed by SIMP = sale, inter vivos transfer by either party, mortgage, or partition action.
Tenancy in Common
Each cotenant owns an undivided interest in the whole property.
Requires only the unity of possession, in which each cotenant has the right to possess 100% of the property at the same time.
Does NOT include a right of survivorship like joint tenancy.
Ameliorative Waste
Under common law, no alterations to the land could be made without authorization, and the tenant making alterations would be liable for the cost of returning the property to its original state.
Under modern law, ameliorative waste may be committed if the market value is not impaired and the remaindermen consent, or if a substantial change in the neighborhood justify the improvement.
Permissive Waste
Not taking reasonable steps to avoid damage to the property, such as cutting grass or paying bills.
Voluntary Waste
Intentionally or negligently damaging property.
Waste
The owner of anything other than a fee estate may not commit waste, AKA, they may not cause harm to the estate at the expense of the person who will hold it after them.
Includes voluntary, permissive, and ameliorative waste.
Covenants and Equitable Servitudes
A promise relating to the use of land that benefits and burdens the parties to the promise AND their successors.
Equitable servitudes are enforced via equitable remedies (injunctions), while covenants have monetary damages.
Easement
A nonpossessory right to use the land of another.
Can be either (1) express, (2) implied by prior use, (3) necessary, (4) by plat, or (5) by prescription.
Termination of a Covenant or Equitable Servitude
- Written release
- Estoppel/changed circumstances
- Abandonment with overt act
- Merger of the 2 estates
In Gross vs. Appurtenant Easement
If an easement benefits a person, it is an easement in gross. If an easement benefits a parcel of land, it is an easement appurtenant.
Creation of an Express Easement
Must be in writing per the Statute of Frauds, identify the parties, include words manifesting an intent to create an easement, and a description of the land.
Creation of an Easement Implied by Prior Use
- One parcel of land is now severed into more than one parcel.
- The use giving rise to the easement was in existence at the time of the split.
- The use was apparent.
- The easement was necessary for reasonable enjoyment of the land.
Creation of an Easement by Necessity
- Common ownership of a parcel that is split into two parcels.
- Strict necessity at the time of the severance.
Fixture
Personal property attached to land that transfers with the land.
Adverse Possession
CHANGE — Continuous (including tacking and tolling), Hostile/adverse, Actual, Notorious and Open, Goes on for the statutory period of time (20 years), and Exclusive.