20 Common Issues Resolved by Property Law: A Practical Guide

Ownership and Title Issues

Ownership Disputes

Determine who has a legal right to own a property or asset.

Title Defects

Determine and cure defects in property titles, such as errors, liens, or incomplete records of ownership.

Also read:

Adverse Possession

Decide who owns land when it is occupied by someone without permission for a specified time under the law.

Co-Ownership Disputes

Resolve disputes among joint tenants or tenants in common about the use or sale of a property.

Easements and Rights of Way

Rights of Way: Addresses the legal right to use someone else’s land for specific purposes, such as access to a road.

Landlord-Tenant Issues

Lease Agreements

Drafts, interprets, and enforces terms of residential and commercial leases.

Evictions

Resolves disputes related to tenant removal, ensuring landlords follow legal eviction procedures.

Security Deposits

Mediates disputes over the return or withholding of tenant security deposits.

Rent Increases

Ensures compliance with rent control laws and resolves conflicts over unauthorized rent hikes.

Property Maintenance

Defines landlord and tenant liabilities concerning property maintenance and repair.

Property Transactions

Sales and Purchase Agreements

Prepares and enforces agreements to sell real estate with conditions and disclosures.

Property Appraisal

Manages disagreements in appraising property in sales or refinance deals.

Transfer of Title of Property

Facilitates the legal and documentary requirements for transferring property titles.

Real Estate Fraud

Conducts investigations and resolves instances of false pretenses, forgery, or sale scams.

Boundary Disputes

Resolve boundary line disputes through survey or court judgment.

Zoning and Land Use

Zoning Infractions

Deal with cases where land use does not meet the provisions of local zoning.

Land Use Permits

Help in securing or disputing building and land development permits.

Property Rights and Restrictions

Restrictive Covenants

Enforces private covenants on land use. For example, homeowners association by-laws

Encroachments

Deal with structures such as fences or buildings encroaching onto another person’s property.

Nuisance Claims

Those complaints concerning interfering with property enjoyment or registration, such as noise, odors, or pollution.

Conclusion

A variety of issues fall within this scope of law- property rights must be clearly guaranteed and defended. Familiarity with these common scenarios can help owners, tenants, and buyers guide themselves through potential legal issues. Always seek a qualified property lawyer for tailored advice.