The Community Reinvestment Act

Prior to the enactment of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), many depository institutions excluded low-income neighborhoods and persons of color from taking advantage of the institutions' lending services.

Fences - Maintenance of Boundary Fences

Many properties, particularly residential properties, have boundary fences on at least one side. Generally speaking, the neighbor who erects the fence has the responsibility for maintenance; however, if an adjoining neighbor uses the fence as a boundary fence (perhaps, by erecting fences on all other sides), then the neighbor has some responsibility for the fence, as well. The issue is largely governed by state and local law.

Rights of a Possessor

At common law, possessors of property who sought to recover possession from a subsequent possessor could bring a suit that alleged a trespass to land or a trespass to chattels. Another form of relief was a suit that alleged conversion. Adherence to the pleading technicalities was critical, but in each case, the possessor had to allege that he or she was the prior possessor. Remedies in these common law actions included the recovery of the items allegedly taken or the ejectment of persons from the possessor's land.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

A real estate investment trust, also known as an REIT, is a type of investment opportunity. More specifically, shares in REITs are considered a type of real estate security.

Types of Tenancies

Usually, when one thinks of the relationship between a landlord and a tenant, what comes to mind is a lease agreement between the parties where the tenant agrees to stay in the leased premises for a specified period of years and pay an agreed upon rent for the privilege of doing so. In actuality, the scenario described above is just one type of tenancy, a tenancy for years. The types of landlord/tenant relationships are as follows: