Quick-reference explainer
Real Property One-Pager | BarPrepPlay
Use this Real Property one-pager to keep estates, recording acts, RAP, landlord-tenant, easements, and adverse possession in working memory before you test yourself.
Overview
Use this Real Property one-pager to keep estates, recording acts, RAP, landlord-tenant, easements, and adverse possession in working memory before you test yourself.
Estates
Fee simple, life estate, term of years. Future interests: Reversion, remainder (vested/contingent), executory interest. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Fee simple, life estate, term of years. Future interests: Reversion, remainder (vested/contingent), executory interest.
Section sources
Recording Acts
Race: First to record wins. Notice: BFP wins. Race-notice: BFP who records first wins. Know your jurisdiction! On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Race: First to record wins. Notice: BFP wins. Race-notice: BFP who records first wins. Know your jurisdiction!
Section sources
RAP
Lives in being + 21 years. Applies to: Contingent remainders, executory interests, class gifts. NOT grantor interests. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Lives in being + 21 years. Applies to: Contingent remainders, executory interests, class gifts. NOT grantor interests.
Section sources
Landlord-Tenant
Assignment: Entire term (privity of estate). Sublease: Less than entire (no privity). IWH: Residential only. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Assignment: Entire term (privity of estate). Sublease: Less than entire (no privity). IWH: Residential only.
Section sources
Easements
Creation: PING (Prescription, Implication, Necessity, Grant). Termination: Release, merger, abandonment (intent + act). On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: Creation: PING (Prescription, Implication, Necessity, Grant). Termination: Release, merger, abandonment (intent + act).
Section sources
Adverse Possession
OCEAN: Open, Continuous, Exclusive, Adverse, Notorious. Tacking OK if privity. Disability tolls SOL. On the exam, treat this as a checklist heading: state the governing rule first, name the trigger or element that matters, and then tie the facts to each part before moving to the next doctrine.
- Quick rule block: OCEAN: Open, Continuous, Exclusive, Adverse, Notorious. Tacking OK if privity. Disability tolls SOL.
Section sources
Primary law and source anchors
- Race, Notice, and Race-Notice Recording Acts The recording-act framework that determines whether a later bona fide purchaser takes priority.
- Easement by Necessity Doctrine An implied easement can arise from prior unity of title plus strict necessity at severance.
- Rule Against Perpetuities The common-law lives-in-being-plus-21-years limit on certain future interests.
FAQ
Use it as a fast recall reset before you do active practice. It is designed to put the core frameworks back into working memory, not replace question practice.
Scan the one-pager first, then open the matching deep dive for full doctrine or the matching most-tested page for review priority. After that, move into a drill or mixed set.