Property Law Flashcards
How can property be transferred?
Property can be transferred through (1) Sale; (2) Gift; (3) Devise; and (4) Intestate Succession.
What is fee simple?
Fee simple is the largest possessory estate and is capable of lasting forever.
What is the presumption about fee simple?
The presumption about fee simple is that it is fee simple absolute.
What are defeasible fees?
Determinable fees may be terminated by the occurrence of an event, can be terminated early, and a condition can cut short the fee simple.
What is fee simple determinable?
Fee simple determinable is limited by specific durational language.
What is fee simple subject to condition subsequent?
Fee simple subject to condition subsequent is limited by specific conditional language.
What is the possibility of reverter?
The possibility of reverter is the future interstate’s held by the grantor following a fee simple determinable.
What is the right of entry?
The right of entry is the future interest of the grantor following a fee simple subject to condition subsequent.
What is a fee simple subject to an executory interest?
A fee simple subject to an executory interest is when after an event, the future interest will vest in a third party.
What is an executory interest?
An executory interest will cut short an earlier interest.
What is a life estate?
A life estate is limited by a life.
What is a reversion (possibility of reverter)?
A reversion is when the grantor takes back possession after a life estate ends.
What is a remainder?
A remainder is when a third party takes possession after a life estate ends.
What does a vested remainder require?
A vested remainder requires (1) an ascertained grantee; and (2) no condition precedent
What is a contingent remainder?
A contingent remainder is when there is either (1) no ascertained grantee; or (2) a condition precedent
When are class gifts vested subject to open?
Class gifts are vested subject to open when the full class membership is unknown.
What is the presumption about birth in property law? (I can tote it rule)
The presumption about birth in property law is that a person can have children until their death.
What is the rule of convenience?
The rule of convenience closes the class to avoid application of the Rule against perpetuities.
What is the doctrine of worthier title?
The doctrine of worthier title creates a presumption of reversion to the grantor’s heirs.
What is the Rule in the Shelley case?
The rule in the Shelley case prevents against remainders int he grantees heirs –> Creates a fee simple absolute in the grantee. MERGES.
What is a springing executory interest?
A springing executory interest divests the grantor.
What is a shifting executory interest?
A shifting executory interest divests a grantee.
What is the time limit for RAP?
The time limit for RAP is one life + 21 years.
When are interests created under RAP?
Interests under RAP can be created either (1) Inter vivid: during the life of the grantor; or (2) upon death.
What does RAP apply to?
RAP applies to (1) contingent remainders; (2) executory interests; and (3) class gifts - subject to open.
Who is the validating life under RAP?
The validating life under RAP is the person who tells us whether or not the interest vests.
What happens when there is a RAP violation?
When there is a RAP violation, the violating interest is stricken.
What happens under RAP when a member of the class is void.
Under RAP, if a member of a class gift is void, all of the class gift is void. Would use the Rule of convenience.
Does RAP apply to charities?
RAP does not apply to charities.
Does RAP apply to options?
RAP does not apply to options held by a current tenant to purchase a fee interest in the leasehold property. or an option in a commercial transaction
What are concurrent estates?
Concurrent estates is the ownership or possession of real property by two or more persons simultaneously.
What are the three kinds of concurrent ownership?
The three kinds of concurrent ownership are (1) tenancy in common; (2) joint tenancy; and (3) tenancy by the entirety.
What is tenancy in common?
Tenancy in common is the default concurrent interest, and owners have separate but undivided interests in the property. There is no right to survivorship
What is joint tenancy?
Joint tenancy is defined by right to survivorship.
What are the four unities of joint tenancy? (PITT)
The four unities of joint tenancy are (1) possession; (2) interest; (3) time; and (4) title.
What happens with severance in joint tenancy?
When there is severance in joint tenancy, it is destroyed and becomes a tenancy in common.
Do mortgages to a joint tenancy sever the joint tenancy?
Majority: a mortgage is treated as a lien and does not destroy the joint tenancy; Minority: mortgage severs title and therefore the joint tenancy which then becomes a tenancy in common.
What is tenancy in the entirety?
Tenancy in the entirety is joint tenancy between married people. Has a right of survivorship.
What is the general rule for use for concurrent owners?
The general rule for use for concurrent owners is that each co-tenant has right to possess all of the property.
What is ouster?
Ouster is when another co-tenant denies another co-tenant access to the property.
What can be done about ouster?
When ouster occurs a co-tenant can (1) get an injunction; or (2) recover damages for the value of use lost while the co-tenant was ousted.
How are rents distributed to concurrent owners?
Rent is distributed to concurrent owners minus the operating the expenses and divided by ownership interest.
How are operating expenses divided?
Operating expenses are divided based on ownership interest, and a co-tenant can collect contribution.
Can a co-tenant receive contribution for necessary repairs or improvements?
A co-tenant cannot receive contribution for necessary repairs or improvements.
What is partition?
Partition is an equitable remedy available to all tenant in common or joint tenants, that divides the property into separate portions, or sells and distributes profits if portion is unfair or impractical.
What is the Fair Housing Act (FHA)?
The FHA prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings. And also prohibits discriminatory preference advertising.
Who is covered under the FHA?
The FHA is primarily concerned with primary residential housing.
Who is not covered under the FHA?
The FHA does not cover (1) Single family homes that are sold without a broker; (2) Owner-occupied buildings with four or less living units; and (3) Religious organizations and private clubs.
Who is protected by the FHA?
The FHA protects (1) race; (2) color; (3) religion; (4) national origin; (5) sex; (6) disability; and (7) familial status.
Are there special exemptions under the FHA?
Under the FHA, there is a special exemption for senior living.
What is prohibited under the FHA?
Under the FHA it is prohibited to (1) refuse to rent, sell or finance a dwelling; (2) require difference rents; (3) falsely denying a unit is available; (4) providing different services to facilities; and (5) falsely denying a unit is available.
What does a lease create?
A lease creates both a contract interest and a property interest.
What are the four types of tenancies?
The four types of tenancies are (1) tenancy for years; (2) periodic tenancy; (3) tenancy at will; and (4) tenancy at sufferance.
What is a tenancy for years?
A tenancy for years is measured by a fixed and ascertainable amount of time.
How is a tenancy for years created?
A tenancy for years is created through an agreement by the landlord and the tenant.
How is a tenancy for years terminated?
A tenancy for years is terminated automatically upon the expiration of the term, and no notice is required unless the lease requires it.
Can a tenancy for years be terminated before the term is over?
A tenancy for years can be terminated before the term is over if (1) the tenant surrenders the lease; or (2) the tenant or the landlord commits a material breach of the lease.
What is a periodic tenancy?
A periodic tenancy is an estate that is repetitive and ongoing for a set period of time.
How is a periodic tenancy created?
A periodic tenancy is created through intent that can be explicit or implied.
How is a periodic tenancy terminated?
A periodic tenancy automatically renews until you give notice that is at least 6 months (old approach) or 1 month (new approach).