Checking for Easements in the Twin Cities?

Let Our Minneapolis and St. Paul Real Estate Attorneys Help

An easement can give access to a landlocked parcel, or it may be put in place for conservation. Before purchasing a property, a buyer should check for easements. If there is an easement on the property, the buyer should contact the St. Paul and Minneapolis real estate lawyers at Steven H. Snyder & Associates for legal advice on the easement and how it affects the property.

Types of Easements

• Easements by Gross: The utility, water and sewer companies all have easements on a piece of property. These types of easements are usually underground or above the ground, therefore do not consist of actual land and usually do not affect the property owner. If a utility company places an easement over property owned by you, the utility company must pay you the amount that its easement diminishes the property value.
• Easements by Prescription: A portion of property used by another individual or entity may become an easement because of unchallenged use, if a formal objection “to start the clock over” is not filed.
• Conservation easements: A conservation easement may be placed on a large piece of property in the hopes that it will keep the property from being taken for a large construction or public byway project. Conservation easements may be taken by eminent domain, if the project cannot be located elsewhere.

A conservation easement may keep a property from being developed, but the property owner must remember that a conservation easement may reduce the property value, and it will also affect future owners of the property. A Minneapolis and St. Paul real estate attorney can advise a property owner of his or her rights regarding conservation easements.