Real Estate Law Covers More Than You Might Guess

When you imagine what a real estate law firm might deal with, it's easy to picture some basic services provided. A firm can help you with things like title searches, property transfers, contracts for rentals, and leads for renters or buyers. There are, however, a lot more topics covered by real estate law than you might guess. Let's look at 5 issues that you may need to take to a real estate law firm.

Land Use

Licenses, permits, variances, and easements are all part of making use of the property you own. Depending on the zoning rules where you have land, though, you may find that regulations are hard to work with. Making the best use of the location might require getting permission, such as going to a municipal board meeting to obtain a variance.

Eminent Domain

Whether you're looking to claim property or trying to defend against such an effort, eminent domain is an invitation to a legal fight. This can cover a host of related topics, such as historic preservation and the contract between public and private use of a property. In some cases, this comes down to questions of your constitutional rights.

Nearly Anything Commercial or Industrial

Wherever there is money, you can often assume there will be legal disputes. Companies can encounter problems with environmental regulations, zoning, property taxes, and even making claim to a title. The use of the location will have to comply with rules involving everything from hazardous materials to handicap accessibility.

Adverse Possession

Among the more potentially infuriating issues in real estate law is adverse possession. If you've ever heard someone refer to the so-called "squatter's rights," adverse possession is what people who know the law often call it. It's rare that someone can occupy titled land that's owned by someone else and get away with keeping it. That doesn't mean, however, that you might not spend a lot of time and effort kicking squatters out of a property. Especially in the world of residential renting, this can be a major problem.

Construction

Every building had to start somewhere, and that likely means each one went through a long process. In some jurisdictions, this can entail doing engineering studies, submitting documents to planning commissions and the county register, getting permits, and assessing the economic and environmental impact of what will happen. Disputes with neighbors can also arise, especially if you're trying to build close to the property line.

To learn more, contact a real estate law firm.

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