Upcoming Event:
On June 12 & 13 Paul Alfano will be speaking at Real Estate Book Camp, a comprehensive two-day seminar sponsored by the National Business Institute and featuring ten noted New Hampshire attorneys. Paul is scheduled to speak on “Tax Matters in Real Estate,” with a focus on how property owners can reduce their property tax liability.
Gates and bars – say what?
All class VI highways are deemed to be “subject to gates and bars.” What exactly does that mean? People who live on Class VI highways may install a gate across the road, provided the gate does not prevent or interfere with public use of the road. The gate must be capable of being opened and reclosed by highway users. The local governing body may regulate such structures to assure such public use, and may cause to be removed any gates or bars which fall into disrepair or otherwise interfere with public use of the highway.
Real estate right of first refusal – should it be recorded?
RSA 477:3-a states that “[e]very deed or other conveyance of real estate and every court order or other instrument which affects title to any interest in real estate, except probate records and tax liens which are by law exempt from recording, shall be recorded at length in the registry of deeds for the county or counties in which the real estate lies and such deed, conveyance, court order or instrument shall not be effective as against bona fide purchasers for value until so recorded.” (Emphasis added.) A purchase and sale agreement containing a right of first refusal is an “other instrument which affects title to any interest in real estate.” Smith v. Wedgewood Builders Corp., 134 N.H. 125,129 (1991). Recording the agreement makes it “effective against bona fide purchasers for value.” This means a purchaser of the real estate will take title subject to the right of first refusal, which could result in some uncomfortable conversations.
Big Green frat boys lose twice.
In 2015, Dartmouth College revoked its recognition of Alpha Delta as a student organization due to “violation of the school’s standards of conduct.” (The reader will need to search elsewhere for the details – we strive to maintain a certain level of professionalism with our newsletter.) If that wasn’t bad enough for the bad boys, the town of Hanover then notified the frat that, because the college derecognized Alpha Delta, the frat’s use of its building as student housing violated the zoning ordinance. The reason? Use as a frat for student housing was grandfathered, provided it was “operated in conjunction with” the college. Once AD lost its connection to the college, it lost its grandfather status. it needed to apply for a special exception. The AD lads put up a fight, but the New Hampshire supreme court agreed with the town’s zoning board of adjustment and superior court in holding the use violated the town’s zoning ordinance. Alpha Delta had been in operation as a frat since 1840. To paraphrase the great John Blutarsky: “175 years down the drain.” Dartmouth Corporation of Alpha Delta v. Town of Hanover (April 11, 2017)