Property Flashcards
(52 cards)
What is a defeasible fee
A grant of fee simple with express conditions
Capable of lasting forever, may terminate on occurrence event
Gives present possessor interest but also creates future interest
3 types of defeasible fees
FS determinable: time language: while, during, until. Reverter (automatic vest)
FS subject to condition subsequent: conditional language: “but if” “on condition” “provided” creates right of reentry, must be exercised to be vested
FS subject to executory interest. When a 3P (fucking executives) gets the right if the condition occurs.
What interest follows a life estate and when/how does it vest?
A remainder follows a life estate. It can be:
Vested: if ascertainable grantee AND subject to condition precedent (other than death)
Contingent: if grantee is not ascertainable (like not born yet) or there is a condition (To a for life, then B, but only if B survives A)
4 unities necessary to create a joint tenancy, plus extra statement necessary
Possession
Interest
Time
Title
MUST indicate:
- right of survivorship
- intent to create JT
What severs a joint tenancy:?
If any of the 3 unities are destroyed, mainly:
- conveayance of interest to 3P
- ataching a mortgage in a title theory state
3 Obligations/duties of co-tenants.
- Operating expenses: divided by ownership interest
- Rent payments from 3P divided by ownership interest
- Repairs and improvements, even if necessary are NOT reimbursable. But person who paid can get credit in partition action
What is ouster and how does it get solved?
When one co-T denies another access to property
REMEDY: injunction and/or damages
When will a court order a partition by sale rather than in kind?
Preference: divide up property in kind
Will order by sale: if not practical to fairly divide property (say a studio apartment)
4 types of leasehold (tenancy)
how is it determined
tenancy for years: fixed and knowable time (6 months, 3 years, etc). Auto terminates at end
Periodic tenancy: repetitive, ongoing until termination notice (see other card)
Tenancy at will: indefinite time, terminated w/o notice
Tenancy at sufferance: after lease expires, tenant stays. Until evict, re-lease, or vacate
generally determined by lease contract, and each must perform according to valid contract
how to terminate a periodic tenancy
month-to-month
must give notice to terminate
notice effective on last day of subsequent term
I give notice Jan 3, effective Feb 28th
how to create a tenancy at will
Must be:
-stated in K OR implied (ongoing payment of rent at will)
IF K gives at will right to terminate to tenant, does not automatically give that right to LL
HOWEVER, K cannot give right only to LL, tenant automatically get it
What is the tenant’s primary duty to LL and when is it suspended?
PAY RENT
suspended:
1. premises destroyed (if tenant didn’t cause it)
2. eviction, complete OR partial
3. LL materials breaches lease (implied warranty of habitability)
What is the applied warranty of habitability, describe it, and what are result of breaking it
All rental dwellings have implied warranty of habitability.
CANNOT be waived
reasonably suitable for basic human needs
IF BREACHED:
-does not have to vacate and terminate the lease, but can
-withhold rent IF gave notice of problem and reas opp to fix it
-fix it and charge LL
-defend against constructive eviction (see quiet enjoyment)
what is the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment and how does it operate?
-implied in ALL leases
-means LL won’t come bug you by
taking action
that renders place unsuitable for intended purpose
BREACH results in resulting in CONSTRUCTIVE EVICTION, which occurs only when above happens AND
- tenant notified LL and LL did not fix in reas time
- tenant vacates after waiting reasonable time
MUST VACATE for constructive eviction, not for habitability.
How does an assignment of a lease work vs a sublease:
- assignment: complete transfer of remaining time on lease. LL can get $ from both tenants
- sublease: transfer for not complete period. LL can only get from original tenant, who can get from subleasee. Basically it’s 2 Ks, and the LL and subleaser don’t owe each other $
What can terminate a lease before its end without legal consequences for anyone?
Surrender. When T returns possession to L and L consents
What is abandonment of a lease?
Tenant returns lease w/o LL consent. Tenant still owes rent until end of rental OR LL finds new tenant.
LL has obligation to take normal, reasonable measures to find new tenant (majority rule–under minority rule he does not, esp commercial leases)
What is the definition of a real covenant?
A real convenient is a promise concerning the use of land that runs with the land, including the successors in interest to the original promisor.
What is the benefit/burden of a covenant?
The benefit of a covenant is the ability to enforce ti, and the burden is the requirement to obey it.
What elements must be present for a BENEFIT of a covenant to run to successors in the land?
WRIT: Writing, relaxed vert privity, Intent, Touch and Concern
- Writing. In the original conveyance, must satisfy SoF
- Intent –original parties intend that covenant runs with land
- Touch and Concern. Must do SOMETHING to land, even if just help property values of both parties
- Privity–RELAXED vertical. must be successor in interest, can only take previous interest or a carve-out (like a life estate cannot give a fee simple and keep the benefit of a covenant)
What elements must be present for a BURDEN to run with the land?
Harder than benefit. First 3 the same:
Writing
Intent
Touch and Concern
THEN ALSO:
Privity:
Strict vertical privity: successor must take ENTIRE interest of original promisor
Horizontal: original document of conveyance between promisors must contain the covenant
Notice: new owner must have it. Can be
Actual: someone told him, it’s obvious in K, etc.
Constructive: lie record notice, it’s in the deed records in the County, etc.
What kind of damages can one get for a breach of covenant versus a breach of an equitable servitude?
covenant: $ damages or injunction
equitable servitude: injunction
wtf is horizontal privity
The instrument used to convey the property when the covenant was formed must contain both the estate and the covenant.
BASICALLY: the deed itself in the original conveyance must contain the covenant
What 4 things are required for an equitable servitude to exist?
TWIN: because twins are equal and serve each other! Like when they make weird languages and stuff! Touch and Concern Writing Intent Notice