The purchase of a house does not always guarantee total control over the land. A couple of buyers discovered, after acquiring a property, that the neighbors have the legal right to park two cars within their private area.
This situation results from a right of way or other limited real right that was registered in the property deed. Many buyers are unaware of the existence of these encumbrances, as they are not always clearly identified during the purchase process.
The case illustrates the importance of a careful analysis of legal documentation before completing any real estate transaction. Land registries and property tax certificates can reveal restrictions and third-party rights over the property.
This type of situation is more common than one might think and can generate conflicts between neighbors, in addition to representing a significant surprise for the new owners who expected to have exclusive use of their land.
