0
Want this question answered?
Be notified when an answer is posted
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Can a neighbor build a concrete block and wood fence across a 20 ft wide utility easement?
It depends on the nature of the easement. You need to get a copy of the easement from your county records office, and see what rights it gives the neighbor to build on the easement. Odds are, if it's a utility easement, it belongs to the utility company alone. See a real estate attorney for detailed information on your state's laws.
What is the easement of an electric company called?
Utility easement, they are common.
The power company has no easement on their power line that goes through your property Can you build a garage under the line?
Your title would need to be researched to determine if an easement was granted in years past. Utility easements are often not recited in deed descriptions. Failure to recite the easement does not mean the easement doesn't exist. Grants by property owners are not the only method by which utility companies acquire rights. In some cases, easement rights were taken by eminent domain. In some cases the utility was permitted to construct a ROW by virtue of a legislative act. In that case, it would have an easement. You should speak with an attorney in your area before you construct anything within the limits of the power line. An attorney who specializes in real estate law would be familiar with the local practices. If you build a garage within the power line ROW and later find the utility did have an easement it can and will demand the garage be removed.
An easement was granted to the power co and now the power station and lines were removed can you build a horse race track with barns on this land that contains the easement?
No. You need to obtain a release of the easement from the utility company before you build anything on the portion that was affected by the power station and lines. The company can always reinstall new equipment within the easement area and demand that you remove any structures you have installed in violation of their easement rights. Try contacting their right of way or easement department to determine if and how you may obtain a release of their rights in your property. In Massachusetts the utility companies charges for researching and releasing an easement that is no longer used can run from $500-$1500. Some companies will not release an easement that is not being used.
Can you plant a tree near a utility easement?
You need to review the document that created the easement in order to determine what rights you may have within the easement area. Most utility easements require that the area within the easement be kept clear of structures, trees and brush.
Can you use the gas easement to build your garage if it is in your poperty?
It is not clear what you mean by 'use'. The gas line is owned by a utility company. The company has the right to control any connections. In fact, if you were to alter the line in any way it would be a criminal offense. You need to contact the utility company and discuss your project with them. Also, you cannot build a structure within the easement area.
How can you buy back a utility easement or part of it?
A utility easement is a feature of the property you own, not a loss of property. A utilty easement is a section of your property that needs to be left accessible to the utility (electric company, phone company, etc.) for service, repairs, upgrades etc. You can use the space such as erect a fence but you need to know that if the utility needs to access your easement space they have the right to move or destruct what you have erected.
If a utility easement is no longer in use how do you get a release from the utility company?
You need to contact the easement department of the utility company that owns the easement and ask for a release. The utility must research the easement in their records which is sometimes a very complicated process. They may require a fee for the research and release. That fee can run in the hundreds of dollars. On the other hand they may refuse to release it at all even if it is not in use. Once they have property rights some utility companies don't let them go.
How far away from a utility easement do you have to be?
The area on either side of a utility easement is generally stated in the instrument that created the easement. For example, "no structures within 15 feet of either side of the center line". Check with the title company or attorney who represented you when you purchased your property for a copy of the easement document.
Can you purchase an easement in the rear of your home?
Not likely, the easement is there because of something that the utility company has in place there. It also provides the ability to run utility lines from one place to another including your neighbors' homes. If the easement isn't being used by the utility company they may release it for a fee. In the case of very old easement rights in Massachusetts there are liaisons at the utility companies who can research an old easment for you and they will release it if it is not needed, no longer used or if it was never used. There is a fee of at least several hundred dollars.
How wide is an easement?
There is no set width for an easement. An easement is defined by an agreement between the two property owners. Some easements have standard sizes such as roads or utility easements.
What are the city's rights under a utility easement?
The rights are set forth in the document that created the easement. You need to review that document.
