Whether for personal or commercial use, owning a piece of land is a significant investment. Few — if any — property owners in Delaware anticipate having to let others use their properties for unintended purposes. You may have been surprised or even worried when someone sought the right to use your piece of property. Easements are actually not as uncommon as you might think, but getting the details of land use right is essential.
There are many different reasons why someone might ask for an easement. For example, if a utility company wants to install infrastructure for power or gas on your property, it will seek an easement to do so. Or your private driveway might be the best or only way for your neighbor to access his or her property.
Before consenting to these or other uses, you should be sure to get the agreement in writing with a contract. Without a formal contract, the utility company, your neighbor or other party might try to wrongfully claim property rights or dispute property lines and land boundaries. You do not want to lose certain rights to your own property because another party took advantage of your kindness.
Whether you have no issue saying “yes” to the easement or feel some trepidation about the intended land use, it is important that you formalize all of the details in a contract. This is about protecting yourself and your property, so you should not feel worried about what a neighbor might think if you ask him or her to sign one. Actually creating a thorough contract can be difficult, though, especially if you are not familiar with Delaware real estate law. Instead, you should be sure to find an experienced advocate who understands your needs. You may also consider learning more about easements and other property issues by visiting our website.