That portion of a building below ground or grade; which is the foundation for the superstructure.

See: Subsurface Rights.

The rights, whether by fee or easement, to oil, gas, or minerals, below a certain depth beneath the surface of land. The right of surface entry may or may not be excluded, and is important to the value of the surface land for improvement purposes. See also: Slant Drilling.

The area around a city. Usually residential with small businesses, although modernly an attraction for large industrial and commercial complexes.

The passing of real property by will or inheritance, rather than by grant deed or any other form of purchase.

A group of rooms in a hotel, rented as one unit. Usually contains a minimum of one bedroom, a sitting room, and bathroom.

A pit or similar storage area in a basement for collecting drained liquid waste.

A pump used to force the collected liquids from a sump.

The federal program created by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabilities Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. The program carries out the Environmental Protection Agency’s purpose to identify and carry out or supervise the cleanup of contaminated sites. See also: Hazard Ranking System; National Priorities List.

1986 federal legislation which reauthorized the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Additions in the 1986 act include the Innocent Landowners Defense.

That portion of a building above ground which is supported by the substructure.

An abstract covering a search of the public records between given dates.

The economic theory that when supply exceeds demand, prices fall, and when demand exceeds supply, prices rise.

See: Lateral Support; Subjacent Support.

One who voluntarily binds himself to be obligated for the debt or obligation of another. For example: A co-maker of a note; an insurance carrier. Surety differs from guarantor, although commonly (and mistakenly) used interchangeably.

The rights (easements) to use the surface of land, including the right to drill or mine through the surface when subsurface rights are involved.

Water caused by precipitation, which spreads over land and stays on the surface (a swamp) or percolates through the ground.

The giving up of an estate, such as a lease. A contractual agreement, having the consent of both parties, such as lessor and lessee, as opposed to abandonment.

The measurement of the boundaries of a parcel of land, its area, and sometimes its topography.

Gaining an interest in property by outliving (surviving) another who had the interest.

A low-lying area in otherwise level ground.