Q: Maryland Montgomery County, real estate question on sewer easement.
A neighbor’s sewer line run across our property. They had a clog and asked for permission to dig / fix via our front yard since that’s where the plumber says the clog is at. Being neighborly, we gave permission (plumbers dug a hole way larger than we expected) . And Now they want to install a permanent access point (Ie. pipe sticking out, or a feet below ground) on our land. We are saying no. Are we within our rights? We are not aware of any formal easements, but not sure about implied easement and what right that gives them. But they could just install access points on their lot (We think they just don’t want to dig up their yard and ours already dug up.) thoughts?
A: The investigation starts with a title search and survey to know with more certainty than "we are not aware" whether there are easements recorded. There are then some very limited rights that sometimes resolve by necessity, but the caselaw on that is very fact specific. You need to review those facts with competent counsel. And, even if you agree to allow the permanent access point, you need to document it and record it to prevent the easement from becoming bigger than intended.
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
