My father built a house on and has occupied land owned by my grandfather in Alabama for the last 20 years. A month ago the land was sold to another family member. What rights, if any, does my father have in this situation?
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My father built a house on and has occupied land owned by my grandfather in Alabama for the last 20 years. A month ago the land was sold to another family member. What rights, if any, does my father have in this situation?
My father built a house on and has
occupied land owned by my grandfather in
Alabama for the last 20 years. A month
ago the land was sold to another family
member. What rights, if any, does my
father have in this situation?
Asked on October 24, 2019 under Real Estate Law, Alabama
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
The new owner can force your father to move the house and leave the land if the new owner wants. Living on another's land, even building a house on it, with their permission does not give you any rights in and to the land itself: you are there solely with the owner's permisson. That permission was personal to the owner granting it; unlike an easement on a deed, it is not "part of" or "attached to" the land and does not bind later or subsequent owners. A subsequent owner can withdraw the permission. Your father should try to enter into a reasonably priced multi-year lease for the land under his house, to give him security; or see if he can buy that plot of land from the new owner.
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