What Are Metes and Bounds: Breaking Down This Legal Property Definition

When it comes to owning property, understanding the terminology is key to understanding the rules. One key phrase that is important for landowners to be familiar with is “metes and bounds.” But what does this phrasing mean?

Metes and bounds is a legal property definition referring to a specific set of rules for describing land in boundary lines, taking into account turns and angles. The term “metes” relates to natural boundaries like rivers or lakes, while “bounds” are more artificial, created by humans boundaries such as fences and walls.

A meet and bounds system was traditionally used to divide parcels of land in the United States, and the recorded information related to these lines were called land deeds. Used in all 50 U.S. states since colonial days, metes and bounds typically fall into three categories: standard deeds, common deeds, and free deeds.

Standard Deeds: Establishing a Record

Under the standard system, measurements and boundaries of a piece of land are established and recorded when it’s sold or transferred. These measurements serve as the record of the property’s boundaries and provide legal evidence of its ownership.

Common Deeds: Relying on a Starting Point

If the land hasn’t been officially recorded, its boundaries can still be described using common deeds. A description is created by starting from a known point, like a stream or a marked tree, then going in a single direction until the boundary lines of the property are established.

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Free Deeds: Surveyor-Free Measurements

In some cases, a surveyor isn’t necessary when describing a property’s boundaries. Free deed systems are reliant on natural features, like streams, trees, or hills – as long as the boundaries are clear enough to be understood from the description. These land deeds can be used if the owner has an idea of where the boundaries should be, but are not certain.

Whether you’re transferring land or just need to understand legal terms, understanding metes and bounds is an important part of navigating the property laws. Knowing which descriptions and measurements are used for specific transactions can go a long way in safeguarding your rights and responsibilities as a landowner.

Related Legal Concepts

Understanding metes and bounds often goes hand in hand with other real estate concepts such as ensuring a property is habitable and securing proper hazard insurance for the land and structures. Property owners should also be familiar with health care directives and health care proxy documents, as these become important when estate planning involves real property transfers.

The Bottom Line

Metes and bounds is a fundamental system for describing property boundaries that has been used in the United States since colonial times. Whether dealing with standard deeds, common deeds, or free deeds, this method provides the legal framework for establishing and recording property ownership through detailed boundary descriptions. For guidance specific to your situation, always consult a qualified, licensed attorney.