Property law

The law and legislation that regulates all the different ways to handle property, such as the types of property, how to handle property disputes and property contract rules.

property contract rules
real property law
real estate law
property legislation

knowledge

cross-sector

Property law is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Real estate manager: Real estate managers handle and oversee the operational aspects of commercial or residential properties such as private apartments, office buildings and retail stores. They negotiate contracts for lease, identify and plan new real estate projects and construction of new buildings by partnering with a developer to identify the appropriate site for new buildings, coordinate the feasibility study for new constructions and supervise all the administrative and technical aspects involved in expanding the business. They maintain the premises and aim to increase its value. They hire, train and supervise personnel.
Foreclosure specialist: Foreclosure specialists revise documentation related to properties that are under foreclosure. They assist clients whose property has been reclaimed by banks due to non-payment of their mortgage by assessing the owner’s possibilities for saving the property.
Mortgage broker: Mortgage brokers handle mortgage loan applications from clients, collect loan documentation and search for new mortgage lending opportunities. They complete and close mortgage loan processes for their clients.
Property insurance underwriter: Property insurance underwriters assess and determine the risk and coverage of a client’s property insurance. They analyse and review underwriting policies according to legal regulations.
Personal trust officer: Personal trust officers monitor and administer personal trusts. They interpret trust and testamentary documentation accordingly, interact with financial advisors to define the investment goal for the achievement of trust objectives, coordinate the purchase and sale of securities with account executives and review clients’ accounts regularly.
Real estate investor: Real estate investors buy and sell own real estate such as appartements, dwellings, land and non-residential buildings to make a profit. They might actively invest in these properties to increase its value by repairing, renovating or improving the facilities available. Their other tasks may include researching the real estate market prices and undertaking property research.
Real estate agent: Real estate agents administer the sales or letting process of residential, commercial properties or land on behalf of their clients. They investigate the property’s condition and assess its value in order to offer the best price to their clients. They negotiate, compose a sales contract or a rental contract and liaise with third parties in order to realize the stated objectives during transactions. They undertake research to determine the legality of a property sale before it is sold and make sure the transaction is not subject to any disputes or restrictions.
Conveyance clerk: Conveyance clerks provide services for the legal transference of legal titles and properties from one party to another. They exchange the necessary contracts and ensure all properties, titles and rights are transfered.
Mortgage loan underwriter: Mortgage loan underwriters ensure compliance with underwriter guidelines. They participate in the implementation of new underwriting guidelines. They also review closed and denied loans.
Property appraiser: Property appraisers undertake detailed analysis and investigation of properties in order to determine their value for sales, mortgage and insurance purposes. They compare the value of properties taking into account the age, actual state of property, its quality, repairs needed and overall sustainability. Property appraisers make an inventory of fixtures, compose a schedule of condition of property and prepare appraisal reports for both commercial and residential properties.
Title closer: Title closers handle and investigate all documentation needed for a property sale including the contracts, settlement statements, mortgages, title insurance policies, etc. They ensure compliance with legal requirements and review all the fees related to the real estate sales process.
Property acquisitions manager: Property acquisitions managers ensure land or property acquisitions transactions. They liaise with relevant stakeholders concerning financial aspects and risks arising from the acquisition of property. Property acquisitions managers ensure compliance with legal requirements for purchasing property and take care of all documentation and closure techniques needed.

Real estate surveyor: Real estate surveyors undertake research in order to assess the value of property for tax purposes. They investigate multiple properties at once, using accurate appraisal techniques. They provide their services usually to local and governmental bodies for taxation reasons.
Real estate leasing manager: Real estate leasing managers set up the lease or rental efforts of an apartment community and properties not in co-ownership and also manage the leasing staff. They produce, track and manage file leasing deposits and documents. They also oversee the lease administration and prepare tenancy budgets on an annual and monthly basis. They also actively promote the vacancies available in order to get new residents, show properties to potential tenants and are present to conclude contracts between landlords and tenants when dealing with private property.
Notary: Notaries ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of official documents such as declarations, certificates, contracts, deeds and purchases. They examine the documents, witness the signing and authenticate them. They administer oaths and affirmations and perform other acts of notarisation.
Letting agent: Letting agents schedule appointments with clients in order to show and lease real estate to prospective residents. They assist in marketing the property for rent through advertising and community out-reach. They are also involved in daily communication and administrative tasks.
Housing manager: Housing managers oversee housing services for tenants or residents. They work for housing associations or private organisations for which they collect rental fees, inspect properties, suggest and implement improvements concerning repairs or neighbour nuissance issues, maintain communication with tenants, handle housing applications and liaise with local authorities and property managers. They hire, train and supervise personnel.
Insurance underwriter: Insurance underwriters assess business risks and liability policies and make decisions about commercial property. They inspect the conditions of businesses’ properties, analyse inspection policies, assist with real estate and rent issues, prepare loan contracts and handle commercial risks in order to align them with business practices. Insurance underwriters analyse various information from prospective customers in order to assess the likelihood that they will report a claim. They work to minimise risk for the insurance company and make sure that the insurance premium aligns with the associated risks. They can be specialists in life insurance, health insurance, reinsurance, commercial insurance, mortgage insurance.

Property law is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Credit adviser: Credit advisers offer guidance to customers related to credit services. They assess the customer’s financial situation and debt issues arisen from credit cards, medical bills and car loans in order to identify optimal credit solutions for customers and also provide debt elimination plans to adjust their finances if needed. They prepare qualitative credit analyses and decision-making material in respect of defined customers in conformity with the bank’s strategy on credit policy, ensure the credit quality and follow up on the performance of the credit portfolio. Credit advisers also have expertise in debt management and credit consolidation.
Financial manager: Financial managers handle all the matters in reference to the finance and investments of a company. They manage financial operations of companies such as the assets, liabilities, equity and cash flow aiming to maintain the financial health of the company and operative viability. Financial managers evaluate the strategic plans of the company in financial terms, maintain transparent financial operations for taxation and auditing bodies, and create the financial statements of the company at the end of the fiscal year.
Credit manager: Credit managers oversee the application of credit policy in the bank. They decide the credit limits to be imposed, the reasonable levels of risk accepted and the conditions and terms of payment made to the customers. They control the collection of payments from their customers and manage the credit department of a bank.
Corporate treasurer: Corporate treasurers determine and oversee the financial strategic policies of a company or organisation. They use cash management techniques like account organisation, cash flow monitoring, liquidity planning and control, risk management including currency and commodity risks and maintain close connection with banks and rating agencies.
Business valuer: Business valuers provide valuation assessements of business entities, stock and other securities and intangible assets, in order to assist their clients in strategic decision-making procedures such as mergers and acquisitions, litigation cases, bankruptcy, taxation compliance and general restructuring of the companies.
Loan officer: Loan officers assess and authorise the approval of loan applications for individuals and businesses. They ensure complete transactions between loan organisations, borrowers, and sellers. Loan officers are specialists in consumer, mortgage, or commercial lending.
Lawyer: Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal proceedings and in compliance with the law. They research for, interpret and study cases to represent their clients in a variety of settings such as courts and administrative boards. They create arguments on behalf of their clients for lawsuits in different contexts with the aim of finding a legal remedy.
Property assistant: Property assistants perform several duties including administrative tasks in the real estate sector. They provide clients with financial information about properties and advise them, they schedule appointments and organise property viewings, they prepare contracts and assist in property valuation.
Corporate lawyer: Corporate lawyers provide legal consulting services and representation to corporations and organisations. They give advice on matters relating to taxes, legal rights and patents, international trade, trademarks, and legal financial issues arising from operating a business.

References

1. Property law – ESCO