How Can I Convince my Homeowner’s Association (HOA) to Consult with a Lawyer About Easement Issues?
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Summary
An easement through an unincorporated HOA community in Yavapai County, AZ allows access through the community to landlocked abutting Property. Easement metes and bounds describe a route somewhat different from existing roads. Owner has unfettered access. Adherence to the described easement would require demo of some existing construction and construction of new roads. What are respective rights of community and easement grantee (Property owner)? For example, does the law allow the Property owner unrestricted rights to treat the route of his described easement however he deems necessary irrespective of the current use of that property? |
“An easement through an unincorporated HOA community in Yavapai County, AZ allows access through the community to landlocked abutting Property. Easement metes and bounds describe a route somewhat different from existing roads. Note on easement states no survey was done. Existing roads have been used for access to abutting Property for years. Property owner is now using roads to access Property during construction on the Property. Owner has unfettered access. Adherence to the described easement would require demo of some existing construction and construction of new roads. What are respective rights of community and easement grantee (Property owner)? For example, does the law allow the Property owner unrestricted rights to treat the route of his described easement however he deems necessary irrespective of the current use of that property? I want to convince the HOA Board to hire a lawyer to handle this but there is resistance. I don’t want to play lawyer but need convincing arguments.”
If you want to convince your board, you’re going to have to consult with a lawyer in your area and get an idea of your chances. The best answer I can give based on your description is “it depends.”
First, you note that the other parcel is landlocked. Depending on how it got that way, the landlocked parcel may have what is known as an “easement by necessity,” which would give the owner of the landlocked parcel fairly broad rights, within reason. This isn’t the case with all landlocked parcels, however.
Depending on how many years the current use has been going on (as well as some other factors), there may or may not have been rights gained by prescription. This will depend on the specific facts of the situation, as well as the law in your state.
Finally, the precise wording of the easement document is likely to have an effect.
These are just the most obvious factors. All of these, and possibly more, would have to be analyzed by an attorney to give you an idea of your relative rights and responsibilities in this situation.
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State laws vary, and the above is intended as general advice, and not direct legal advice regarding any one particular situation in any one state. For direct personal legal advice related to your own situation you should consult an attorney familiar with the laws of your state and with your situation.
