Real Property Flashcards
This too shall pass, so will we.
What is the priority ranking for descriptions of land in a deed?
- Natural monuments (e.g., “From Moss Lake to the oak tree)
- Artificial monuments (e.g., “From the Empire State Building to Statue of Liberty.”)
- Course measurements (e.g., “North 25 degrees”)
- Distance measurements (e.g., “East 45 feet to Grace Street.”
- General monuments (e.g., “The 10 acres known as Blackacre.”)
What is the result of the sudden, perceptible change of a watercourse that serves as a boundary to real property?
No change to the riparian landowners’ property rights
Against whom may a grantee invoke the doctrine of estoppel by deed?
The grantor only.
What is estoppel by deed?
Under the doctrine of estoppel by deed, if a grantor purports to convey an estate that he does not then own, his subsequent acquisition of title to the property automatically inures to the benefit of that grantee.
In other words, the grantor impliedly covenants that he will convey title upon its acquisition and is estopped to deny that he acquired title on the grantee’s behalf.
Is a living grantee required in order to transfer legal title to real property?
Yes, always.
Property cannot be conveyed to a grantee who does not exist. Thus, a deed to a grantee who is dead at the time of delivery is void.
Is a competent grantor required to transfer legal title to real property?
No.
Is a grantee required to provide consideration in order to make a deed valid?
No. No consideration is required to make a deed valid.
What are the requirements for a validly conveyed deed?
- At least donative intent,
- Delivery, and
- Acceptance
In order to be a bona fide purchaser, you must provide __________________ consideration.
Valuable.
When a watercourse or body of water forms the boundary of a parcel of real property, accretion causes the legal boundary to change due to __________.
the slow and imperceptible deposit of soil.
What is the correct order of priority for allocating foreclosure sale proceeds
- Expenses of the sale, including attorneys’ fees, and court costs;
- The principal and accrued interest on the foreclosing party’s loan;
- Any junior lienors in the order of their priority; and then
- The mortgagor.
Is the lender allowed to bid on a property at a foreclosure sale?
Yes, and in many cases the lender is the sole bidder.
What does it mean for an easement to be surcharged?
The easement’s legal scope was exceeded
What is a present possessory estate?
interest in land that gives the holder the right to present possession
What are the characteristics of a fee simple absolute?
- largest estate recognized by law
- can be sold, divided, devised, or inherited
- potentially indefinite duration
True or False: a fee simple is presumed in the absence of express contrary intent
True
What is a defeasible fee?
a fee simple estate that can be terminated upon the happening of a stated event
What future interest accompanies a fee simple determinable?
Possibility of reverter
Does a fee simple determinable automatically revert to grantor if its stated condition or event happens?
Yes.
What type of language creates a fee simple determinable?
durational language such as: so long as, while , during, or until
Is a fee simple determinable alienable?
yes, but the grantee takes subject to the estates being terminated by the specified event.
Is a possibility of reverter transferable? descendible? devisable?
Yes
What is a fee simple on condition subsequent?
estate in which the grantor reserves the right to terminate the estate upon the happening of a stated event.
does a fee simple on condition subsequent automatically terminate if the stated condition manifests?
No, the grantor must go in and take back the estate
What type of language creates a fee simple on condition subsequent?
conditional language: upon condition that, provided that but if, and if it happens that.
Is a right of reentry transferable (1) intervivos? (2)devisable? (3) descendible
(1) no
(2) most states say yes
(3) all states say yes
If a condition contains durational and a power of termination, which defeasible fee will courts presume?
a fee simple on condition subsequent
What is a fee simple subject to an executory interest?
an estate that terminates upon the happening of a stated event and then passes to a third party rather than reverting to the grantor or giving the grantor a right to terminate
What is the result if a condition or limitation is found to violate public policy?
the court will strike the condition and the grantee will take free of the invalid restraint
Is a fee tail a valid estate under the modern law in most jurisdictions?
No, an attempt to create one will result in a fee simple
What is a life estate?
an estate that is measured but he life or lives of one or more persons
What are the types of life estate?
(1) for the life of grantee
(2) life estate pur autre vie
What is a life estate pur autre vie?
it is a life estate that is measured by the life other than the grantee’s
Example: O –> A for life ; A–>B, B has a life estate pur autre vie
What rights does a life tenant have?
ordinary uses and profits fo the land
What duty does a life tenant have?
Duty not to commit waste
May a future interest holder sue for damages against a life tenant who has committed waste? May they seek to enjoin the action?
they may sue for both damages and an injunction
When exploiting natural resources (affirmative waste), a life tenant is generally limited to situations when:
(1) its necessary for repair or maintenance of the land;
(2) land is only suitable for such use
(3) it is expressly or impliedly permitted by the grantor
What is the open mines doctrine?
if mining was done on the land prior to the life estate, the life tenant can continue mining, but is limited to the mines already open.
What are the life tenant’s obligations under the doctrine of permissive waste?
(1) preserve the land and structures in a reasonable state of repair;
(2) pay interest on mortgages (not principle)
(3) pay ordinary taxes on the land
(4) pay special assessments for public improvements of short duration
Is the life tenant obligated to insure the property for the benefit of remaindermen?
No
Is the life tenant responsible for damages caused by a third-party tortfeasor?
No
What is ameliorative waste?
a change that benefits the property economically.
When may a life tenant alter or demolish existing buildings? (i.e. not liable for ameliorative waste)
(1) the market value of the future interests is not diminished; AND
(2) the remaindermen do not object; OR
(3) a substantial and permanent change in the neighborhood conditions has deprived the property in tis current form of reasonable productivity or usefulness
Is a leasehold tenant (as compared with a life tenant) liable for ameliorative waste if the neighborhood has changed and the market value of the premises was increased?
Yes.
May a life tenant seek a partition sale if the land he has interest in is practically worthless?
Yes, and the proceeds are put in trust and she is entitled to the income.
What is a reversion?
its the estate left in the grantor who coneys less than what she owns.
Example: O conveys “to A for life.” O then has a reversion
Is a reversion alienable, devisable, or inheritable?
Yes to all three
Can the holder of a reversion sue for waste and tortious damages to their reversionary interest?
Yes
Is a reversion subject to the rule against perpetuity?
No, because it is always a vested interest
What is a remainder?
its a future interest in a third person that can become possessory on natural expiration of the preceding estate
Can a remainder ever divest the present possessory estate?
No
Must the remainder be expressly created in the same instrument creating the preceding possessory estate?
Yes
What is an indefeasibly vested remainder?
remainder is one created in an existing and ascertained person, and not subject too a condition precedent
What is a vested remainder subject to open?
it is a vested remainder created in a class of persons that is certain to become possessory, but is uncut to diminution e.g. by the birth of additional persons who will share
What is a vested remainder subject to total divestment>
it is a vested remainder that is subject to a condition subsequent
Example: O conveys “to A for life, then to B and his heirs, nit if B dies unmarried, then toe C and his heirs”
What is a contingent remainder?
A remainder that is created in unborn or unascertained persons, or **subject to a condition precedent
** Example: O conveys to A for life, then to B and his heirs if B marries C
What is an executory interest?
its a future interest in third party that either divest a transferred preceding freehold estate (shifting) or follow a gap in possession or cut short a grantor’s estate (springing)
Example (shifting): O conveys to A for life, then to B; but if B predeceases A, the to C and his heirs. C has a shifting executory interest because
Example (springing): O conveys to A when A marries B. A has a springing executory interest
Is a vested remainder transferable, descendible, and devisable?
Yes to all three
Are contingent remainder sand executory interests transferable, descendible, and devisable?
At common law: no
Modern law: Yes to all three
What is the rule of convenience?
Under the rule of convenience, in the absence of express contrary intent, a class closes when some member of the class can call for distribution of her share of the class gift.
What is the rule against perpetuities?
No interest in property is valid unless it must best, if at all, not later than 21 years after some life in being at the creation of the interest.
What interests does RAP apply to?
contingent remainders, executory interests, vested remainders subject to open, options to purchase , rights of first refusal and powers of appointment.
True or False: any restriction on the transferability of a legal interest is void
True
What are the three types of restraints on alienation?
(1) disabling restraints, under which attempted transfers are ineffective; (ii) forfeiture restraints, under which an attempted transfer forgets the interests; and (iii) promissory restraints under which an attempted transfer breaches a covenant
Are all absolute retains on fee simple estates are void?
yes, but forfeiture or promissory restraints on fee simple estates for a limited time and reasonable purpose may be upheld
What is a joint tenancy?
a concurrent estate who’s distinguishing feature is the right of survivorship;
What is the right of survivorship?
it provides that when one join tenant dies, the property is feed from her concurrent interests and her survivors do not succeed to it
What are the four unities required to create a joint tenancy at common law?
PITT:
Possession: they must have the same right to possession
Interest: the interests must be identical
Time: they must take title at the same time
Title: they must take title by the same instrument
What is required in addition to the four unities to create a joint tenancy at common law?
a clear expression of a right of survivorship; otherwise a conveyance to two or more people is presumed to be a tenancy in common
What will sever a joint tenancy?
(1) inter vivos conveyance
2) mortgage on a joint tenant’s interest in a title theory state (minority rule
Will a judgment lien on the Joint tenant’s property sever a joint tenancy?
No, unless the property is sold at a foreclosure sale
What is a tenancy by the entirety?
it is a martial estate akin to joint tenancy.
What can sever a tenancy by the entirety?
death, divorce, mutual agreement or execution by joint creditor of both the spouses
What is a tenancy in common?
current estate with no right of survivorship
True or false, under modern law, courts presume a joint tenancy.
false, courts presume a tenancy in common
What are the rights of a co-tenant?
(1) the right to possess all portion of the property but has no right to exclusive possession of any part
(2) the right to retain profits from her own use of the property, but she must share in net rents from third parties and any profits gained from exploitations of the land such as mining.
May a joint tenant encumber her interest in the property? (ex. by mortgage or lien)
Yes
What is the effect of a mortgage on the interest of a co-tenant?
the mortgagee can foreclose only on the mortgaging co-tenant’s interest
True or false: any co-tenant has a right to judicial partition?
True
What are the two types of partition?
(1) In kind: physical division of land amount co-tenants
(2) by sale and division of the proceeds
Is a co-tenent who pays more than her share of necessary repairs is entitled to contrition from the other co-tenants?
Yes, if she notified them of the need for repairs
Is there a right of contribution from other co-tenants for the cost of improvements?
No, unless there is a partition
Can a co-tenant demand contribution for taxes or mortgage payments rapid on the entire property?
Yes
What is a leasehold?
an estate in land under which the tenant has a present possessory interest in the leased premises and the landlord has a future interest (reversion)
What is a tenancy for years?
it is a leasehold for a fixed period of time
Example: L rents to T for two years
How is a tenancy for years created?
usually by a written leases, Statute of Frauds is created if lease is for more than one year
When does a tenancy for years end?
automatically at its termination date
What is the result if a tenant breaches a covenant contained in the lease?
the landlord retains a right of entry, which allows her to terminate the lease if the tenant breaches
What is a periodic tenancy?
it is a leasehold that continues for successive periods until terminated by proper notice by either party
How is a periodic tenancy tenancy created?
Either by:
(1) express agreement
(2) implication
(3) operation of law
How is a periodic tenancy terminated?
upon proper notice of termination given.
How much notice is required before a periodic tenancy can be terminated?
one full period in advance notice is required
How much notice is required to terminate a year-to-year lease?
at least six-month’s notice
What is a tenancy at will?
it is a leasehold that is terminal at the will of either the landlord or the tenant
How is a tenancy at will created?
generally, by express agreement that the lease can be terminated at any time. Absent such agreement, period rent payments will cause a court to treat it as a periodic tenancy
How is a tenancy at will terminated?
most states require notice and a reasonable time to quit; OR by operation of law (death, commission of waste)
What is a tenancy at sufferance?
It is a leasehold that is created when tenant wrgongfully remains in possession after the expiration f a awful tenancy
When is a tenancy at sufferance terminated?
until the landlord takes steps to evict the tenant.
Is notice required to terminate a tenancy at sufferance?
No
What is the hold-over doctrine?
if a tenant continues in possession after his right to possession has ended, the landlord may:
(1) evict her; OR
(2) bind her to a new periodic tenancy.
True or false: a residential tenant can be held to a new year-to-year tenancy if the original tenancy was for a year or more?
False, only commercial tenants can be committed to a year to year tenancy if he retains possession after his right to possession has ended
What is a lease?
it is contract that governs the landlord-tenant relationship
True or false: at common law, covenants in leases were independent, meaning that if one party breached a covenant, the other party could recover damages but still had to perform his promises and could not terminate the landlord-tenant relationship.
True.
What are the modern exceptions to the common law rule that covenants in leases were independent
(1) constructive eviction
(2) implied warranty of habitability
(3) landlord’s right to terminate the lease for non-payment
What is required under the tenant’s duty to repair (doctrine of waste)?
under this duty, a tenant cannot damage the leased premises.
When has a tenant committed voluntary waste in a landlord-tenant relationship?
(1) when the tenant intentionally or negligently damages the premises or exploits minerals on the property
When has a tenant commit permissive waste in a landlord-tenant relationship?
When the tenant fails to take reasonable steps to protect the premises from damages from the elements. The tenant is liable for all ordinary repairs’ excluding ordinary wear and tear.
When does a tenant commit ameliorative waste in a landlord-tenant relationship?
when the tenant alters the leased property, thereby increasing its value. Generally, the tenant will be liable for the cost of restoration.
NOTE: Modern trend will permit a tenant to make this type of change if he is along-term tenant and the change reflects changes in the neighborhood
True or false: if a leased premises is destroyed without the fault of either party, then neither party has a duty to restore but the tenant must continue paying rent.
true, but most states have statutes allowing a tenant to terminate in this situation.
May a commercial tenant covenant to repair?
Yes, and landlord will be able to sue for damages if tenant breaches
Is a landlord permitted to retain a deposit above the amount of actual damages incurred?
No.
What are a landlord’s remedies when a tenant fails to pay rent but stays on property?
(1) sue for rent; or
(2) evict
True or false: at common law the landlord had no duty to repair or maintain a leased premises?
True, but this has been modified by statute in most states
What is the duty to deliver possession of the premises in the landlord-tenant context?
Rule in most states that requires the landlord to put the tenant in actual possession of the premises at the beginning of the leasehold term.
How would a landlord breach her duty to deliver possession of the premises?
By failing to evict a hold-over tenant
What is the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment?
it is implied in every lease that provides that the landlord, nor any paramount title holder will interfere with the tenant’s quite enjoyment and possession of the premises.
How can the covenant of quiet enjoyment be breached ?
(1) actual eviction: landlord, hold-over tenant, or paramount title holder excludes the tenant from the entire leased premises.
(2) Partial Eviction: occurs when the tenant is physically excluded form only part of the leased premises.
(2) Constructive Eviction: occurs when the landlords breach of duty renders the premises unsuitable for occupancy
If a tenant is partially evicted from the premises, is she obligated to pay rent for the portion of rent she retains possession of?
No, it relieves the tenant of the obligation to pay rent for the entire premises
What elements must a tenant establish to claim constructive eviction?
(1) the landlord breached a duty to the tenant
(2) the breach substantially material deprived the tenant of her use and enjoyment of the premises
(3) The tenant gave the landlord notice and a reasonable time to repair
(4) after such reasonable time the tenant vacated the premises
If a tenant successfully establishes constructive eviction, what remedies may she seek?
(1) termination of the lease; AND
(2) damages
What is the implied warranty of habitability?
applied in most jurisdictions, it is a covenant of habitability that is implied into residential leases.
Is the implied warranty of habitability waivable by a tenant?
No
What are the standards of living required by the implied warranty of habitability?
they are governed by the local housing codes
What are a tenant’s remedies if a landlord breaches the implied warranty of habitability?
(1) terminate the lease
(2) make repairs and offset the cost against future rent;
(3) abate the rent to an amount equal to the fair rental value in view of the defects; OR
(4) remain in possession, pay full rent, and sue for damages
Does the implied warranty of habitability apply to commercial leases?
No
If the lease is silent on this matter, may a tenant transfer her leasehold interest?
Yes, in whole or in part.
What is an assignment of a leasehold interest?
It is a transfer of a tenant’s entire remaining leasehold interest to a 3rd party.
What is a sublease of a leasehold interest?
It is a transfer of part of a tenant’s interest in the remaining leasehold to a 3rd party
What is the consequence if a tenant makes a valid assignment to an assignee?
The assignee stands in the shoes of the original tenant in a direct relation with the landlord;
The assignee and the landlord are in privity of estate and each is liable to the other on all covenant in the lease that run with the land
When does a covenant run with the land?
when the original parties so intend and if the covenant touches and concerns the land