Real Estate Law in Oregon

Lebanon's real estate industry is governed by a huge body of laws. This is because almost any real estate transaction invokes laws concerning civil rights, consumer protection, land use, and contracts.

Real estate law in Lebanon can be fairly complicated, especially when it comes to things like mortgages and the resolution of disputes over construction defects.

Accordingly, it's a smart idea to obtain at least a very basic knowledge of how real estate law in Lebanon works.

If you have even a little bit of basic understanding of applicable real estate law, your life will probably be a great deal easier. If you have some understanding of the law, your knowledge will likely put you in a better bargaining position.

Common Real Estate Law Issues in Lebanon

Financing: Most people are unable to make major real estate purchases in Lebanon with cash, because few people have that kind of money on hand. Therefore, to buy real estate, most entities use a mortgage. This is a loan used to buy a piece of property. When the loan is given, and the property purchased, the lender holds a security interest in the property until the loan is paid off, with interest.

Zoning: Zoning regulations govern what types of structures are allowed on various parcels, based on their location in a municipality. For example, some areas in a city might be zoned only for residential use. Another area might authorize industrial use. These rules are meant to keep property values up, and promote harmony among neighbors by preventing conflicts.

Duty to Disclose: sellers of real estate, especially houses and other residential property, are legally bound to tell the buyer about any defects in the property that the seller knows about, and that the buyer couldn't easily discover on his own (mold or termite problems are frequent examples). If the seller fails to make such disclosures, he or she could be liable for any harm the defect causes to the buyer, as well as the cost of repairing it. If the seller intentionally conceals or lies about the defect, he or she might also face punitive damages.

Implied Warranties: In Lebanon, every residential lease agreement, whether it's clearly stated or not, has an "implied warranty of habitability." This is a legally-imposed promise by the landlord that the rented dwelling (whether it's a house or apartment) is fit for habitation by humans. While there are many requirements for a place to be considered habitable, some of the most necessary ones are electricity, running water, heating, and protection from the elements.

Can a Lebanon Real Estate Lawyer Help?

The issues discussed here, along with others, can be complicated and confusing. Therefore, if you have any questions on this subject, you should not hesitate to ask a Lebanon real estate lawyer.