ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Property Rights and Restrictions

You may own your home, but that doesn't give you license to do anything you want with your property. For example, you probably won't be able to turn your garage into an all-night roller disco, because your neighbors have rights, too, and there are probably zoning regulations restricting the use of your property. And when you say you own your own home, think about what exactly you mean. Do you own it outright, in fee simple? Do you own it as a joint tenant or a tenant in common? No matter how you own it, you'll want to think about protecting your title by buying title insurance.

This section will help you think about your property rights and how to safeguard them; it will also consider the rights of others, including your neighbors and the government.

Subsections

1. Your Property Rights
2. Safeguarding Property Rights: Title Insurance
3. Ownership Options
4. Handling Property Constraints
5. Government Rights to Property