real property Flashcards
define escheat
a decedent has no will or heirs so their property goes to the state
define ademption
devised property is no longer owned by the decedent at death
doctrine of lapse vs. anti-lapse statute
*the devisee dies first so property cannot be conveyed
*the property is determined to go to the devisee’s heirs
ways to terminate an easement or covenant
*express release in writing
*merger (of properties)
*abandonment (non-use + act showing intent)
*sale
*prescription
*estoppel
*end of necessity
*change in use (unreasonable damage/interference with servient estate for easements / substantial for covenants)
types of remainders
*contingent remainder: no ascertainable person OR have an unmet condition precedent
*vested remainder: ascertainable person AND any condition precedent is satisfied
*vested remainder subject to open: at least one person (who meets any conditions) is identified in a class
*vested remainder subject to divestment: the occurrence of a condition subsequent completely divests any remainder interests
what is a deed
a legal instrument transferring ownership
what must be fulfilled for a deed to be valid?
delivery (intent) + acceptance
what must be contained in a deed to be valid?
*parties identified
*grantor signature
*granting clause with an intent to transfer
*sufficient description of the land (doesn’t have to be legal)
what is marketable title (+standard)?
title that is free from unreasonable risk of litigation (reasonable buyer standard)
what common things could prevent title from being marketable?
*an adverse possession claim not yet quieted by the courts
*private encumbrances
*violation of a zoning ordinance
types of partition
*partition in kind: physical division
*partition by sale: split profits based on ownership interests
what is the default partition type and when is the other used?
*partition in kind
*partition by sale instead IF physical division is not practical or unfair
three types of waste
*affirmative waste: voluntary + decrease in value
*permissive waste: neglect + decrease in value
*ameliorative waste: change in use + increase in value (improvements)
elements for a real covenant to be enforceable
*writing
*intent to run with the land
*touch and concern (affects use, enjoyment, or occupation of land)
*notice (actual or constructive) (only if successor is a purchaser)
*privity
when is there a duty not to commit waste?
*life estates + future interests
*leaseholds
*mortgages
*concurrent estates
five types of easements (+elements)
*express easement: writing creating a grant or reservation
*implied easement by necessity: common ownership before severance + necessity at severance (virtually useless)
*implied easement by prior use: common ownership before severance + quasi-easement before severance + open and continuous use + reasonably necessary to use
*implied easement by prescription: continuous for statutory period + open + hostile
*implied easement by estoppel: license granted + relied upon + withdrawn
what are two equitable defenses?
*unclean hands: engaged in same conduct in which claiming (intentional or in bad faith)
*laches: unreasonable delay
what is the changed circumstances doctrine?
such drastic changes have occurred in the area surrounding the land that the restrictions (covenant) no longer makes sense (no benefit retained)
what privity is required for a benefit or burden in a real covenant to be enforceable
*benefit: relaxed vertical privity (some transfer of interest equal to or less than the grantor’s interest)
*burden: horizontal privity (simultaneous transfer of land and create covenant) + strict vertical privity (transfer of interest equal to the grantor’s interest)
three covenants/duties attaches to a land sale
*implied covenant of marketable title
*implied warranty of fitness or suitability (new property only): material defects that could not reasonably be uncovered prior to purchase
*duty to disclose defects: latent/hidden material defect + substantially impacts value, health, safety + reasonable buyer wouldn’t discover
ouster and the available remedies
*a co-tenant in possession of real property denies other co-tenants access to the property
*injunction or damages
three remedies available to buyers and sellers of real property
*damages (contract-market price)
*rescission
*specific performance
implied warranty of habitability + remedies (3)
*a landlord has a duty to maintain the property so it is suitable for residential use (think health and safety)
*remedies
**refuse to pay (notify + reasonable
time passes first)
**remedy or fix the defects and
offset the cost against rent
**defend against eviction
key easement terminology
*servient estate: maintains the burden
*dominant estate: receives the benefit
*appurtenant: tied to use of the land
*in gross: benefits the holder personally
types of present interests and corresponding future interests
*fee simple absolute
*fee simple determinable (durational) / possibility of reverter (grantor)
* fee simple subject to condition subsequent / right of reentry (grantor)
*fee simple subject to executory interest / springing or shifting executory interest (3rd party)
*life estate / reversion (grantor) or remainder (3rd party)
*defeasible life estate (durational/conditional) / reversion (grantor) or remainder & executory interest (same 3rd party)
two types of zoning ordinances
*cumulative
*mutually exclusive
what happens if land is nonconforming to a zoning variance?
*if existing property/use at time the ordinance is enacted, grandfathered in
*if after the ordinance is enacted, seek a variance (use vs. area)
elements for obtaining a variance
*compliance with the ordinance would create an unnecessary hardship
*the hardship arises from circumstances unique to the property
*the owner didn’t create the hardship
*the variance keeps with the overall purpose of the ordinance
*no substantial harm to the general welfare would result if the variance were granted
four alternatives to a mortgage
*deed of trust: trustee holds title for the lender’s benefit
*installment land contract: the seller finances the sale and retains title
*absolute deed: deed given to creditor with intent to secure loan (equitable mortgage unless competing equities like GFP take precedence)
*conditional sale and repurchase (sale-leaseback): the land is sold to a lender, who leases back the property and provides the option to buy the land once it’s paid off
what is the difference between a real covenant and equitable servitude?
*no privity requirement for an equitable servitude
*remedy is damages for a real covenant vs. injunctive relief for an equitable servitude