Drainage disputes among adjoining property owners are common anywhere developers subdivide and build on land. Raw land’s natural grading channels surface water into streams and rivers. Development plans frequently ignore potential drainage problems and construction disturbs drainage patterns, often causing water to divert or accumulate. When buildings and hardscapes replace trees and grass, soil cannot […]
Teachers often compare property rights to a “bundle of sticks.” Each stick represents a discernable owner’s right such as the right to occupy, the right to use the community swimming pool, the right to live free of water intrusion, the right of access, and so on. One powerful right is the ability to rent […]
Standing is a party’s right to make a legal claim in Court. When the judge comes out to sit on the bench, she will read the cases and the parties or their attorneys come forward as called. “Standing” is the right to seek a legal remedy as shown by the facts alleged. Judges ordinarily decide […]
Freedom of speech is a hot topic in community associations. Some of these First Amendment disputes concern the freedom of a property owner to display flags, signs or symbols on their property in the face of board opposition. Conflict between association leadership and members over free speech also spreads into cyberspace. One such case recently […]
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy recently wrote in an opinion that, “Property rights are necessary to preserve freedom, for property ownership empowers persons to shape and to plan their own destiny in a world where governments are always eager to do so for them.” Murr v. Wisconsin, 198 L.Ed.2d 497, 509 (U.S. Jun. 23, 2017). […]