Land and Property Law: Estates and Ownership

What this unit covers

The unit gathers material on who owns land, in what form, and what rights others can hold over it. The mind maps lead the page. Easements explains an easement as a proprietary interest that lets you use somebody else's land for a limited purpose. Proprietary Estoppel sets out assurance, reliance and detriment, and the court's wide discretion to satisfy the equity.

Where to start

Begin with the map called Introduction to Land Law. It opens with the history before 1926, when the Normans invaded and everyone held land in tenure. Then read Land Law and Property Law for the wider picture, including realty, personalty and the test for fixtures. The notes and flashcards on estates and interests in land fit well alongside them.

Registered and unregistered land

Next, look at how rights bind buyers. The Unregistered Land map covers legal rights binding the whole world and equitable rights that fall within land charges. The Link Lending Ltd v Bustard map covers actual occupation under the Land Registration Act 2002. A flashcard deck on third-party interests against a purchaser compares both systems.

Ownership and rights over land

• Co-Ownership: joint tenancy, the four unities and the right of survivorship.
• Freehold Covenants: a personal contractual promise between owners of separate pieces of land.
• Leases, licences and leasehold covenants, with quizzes on leases and licences and on enforcing leasehold covenants.
• Mortgages, liens, adverse possession and commonhold, mostly as flashcards, notes and quizzes.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map, then take the matching quiz without looking back. Note what you missed and return to that branch. Flashcards suit case names and short rules. The resources mention exams such as LLB, SQE and LPC, and some also refer to the bar exam, so check each one against your own course.

Choose one topic today, try its quiz, and then make a map or deck of your own.