Rental Property Investor · KY · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 540 votes
I am considering buying a lot in my subdivision to build a house with a basement on. One of the larger lots has a service road that the local utility company uses almost daily. The builder with the lot said that it is part of the lot and they (local utility company) simply has a right of passage.
If we set the house back enough, shouldn’t be an issue. I’m pretty sure they just go down there to read/monitor the meters. I’m wondering what other questions I should be asking/things I should be considering before potentially buying this lot.
Do I have any sort of additional liability by buying this lot? Just trying to figure out if it’s worth it to pursue this lot or to purchase another, less desirable (steep, not on cul-de-sac, etc.) instead to avoid any potential issues. I guess I don’t know what I don’t know and am wondering what questions I should be asking.
Hi @Mark S., Utility easements are extremely common, some more used than others. The easement holder (utility company) should maintain the easement, but you as the owner would have most of the rights. The holder should therefore indemnify the owner, but I would suggest reaching out the utility company on their responsibility and to ensure it is a documented easement.
@Forrest Faulconer, thanks. I called the utility company about the Pump Station on the lot and they said they pay for and maintain all their equipment. They just need a 20’ clearance for service road for pickup truck and Mack truck (in emergency) and they need the access 24/7. He was able to send me a map of the subdivision which shows the service road and pump station and he said it’s been filed with the city.