A Florida couple, Donna Hartl and her husband, bought a vacant lot for $17,500 but discovered they are barred by law from building on it due to a decades-old Duke Energy easement that prohibits construction within 100 feet of a transmission pole. Despite doing their due diligence, the couple was unaware of the easement, which was recorded in public records in 1955.
The easement renders nearly the entire property unusable for building, leaving the couple with a plot of land they can’t use but are still responsible for paying taxes on. The situation highlights the importance of understanding easements and their impact, and the value of having title insurance to protect against issues like undisclosed easements.
Donna Hartl and her husband thought they had found the perfect location for their dream home, but they soon encountered an obstacle: a decades-old Duke Energy easement that prohibits construction on their new lot due to restrictions on how close homes can be built to a transmission pole. The couple did their research and worked with local officials, but further investigation revealed the existence of the easement.
The Hartls are now stuck with a plot of land they cannot use, despite paying $17,500 for it. They are still responsible for paying taxes on the property, which has been reduced by 50% to $6,691. The situation emphasizes the importance of understanding how easements work and their impact.
Easements are legal agreements that grant specific usage rights to a third party, such as a utility company or a neighbor. Understanding your rights is key when dealing with an easement. Researching local laws covering easements and consulting with legal experts can help determine if you have been violating any rights.
Before purchasing a property, it’s essential to review public records, including title searches and surveys, which may mention easements like the one impacting the Hartls’ lot. Title insurance also protects buyers from losses caused by undisclosed liens, easements, unpaid taxes, forgeries, and other challenges related to the title.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-couple-bought-vacant-lot-131500587.html