How to File Abandonment on Real Estate in Texas
If you own property that abuts, or shares, a common boundary with an abandoned property, you may be able to file for abandonment on that property. Abandonment means that the property owner has given up his rights to the property, often through neglect or because he has not used the property for a set period of time. Your city may have its own specific guidelines to follow to file for abandonment, but in general, you will need to file for a request for abandonment through the city's real estate division, include records of the property and pay a fee.
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Things You'll Need
- Letter
- Metes and bounds description
- Traffic count
- Plat
- Recorded deeds
- Written consent
- Quitclaim deed
- Fees
Instructions
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Write a letter to the city's real estate division that requests abandonment on the property. Include details such as your proposed use for the property, whether it is vacant and what type of building is on it if it is not vacant. Indicate your proposed improvement schedule and how many jobs this may create. If the property is involved in any other pending actions, describe them.
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Attach a metes and bounds description that is signed by a registered surveyor. Attach a traffic count of any surrounding streets that are open to traffic, as well as a plat that depicts the entire property.
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Include a copy of a recorded deed that proves current ownership of any property that shares a common boundary with the real estate to be abandoned. You must have a copy of the deed for each of these properties. You must also include written consent of these property owners, indicating that they are aware of the proposed abandonment and concur with it. Should any property owner refuse to grant consent, you must obtain a quitclaim deed for that property.
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Mail your application, the application fee and any other required fees to your city's real estate division. For example, in Dallas, the application fee is $2,500 at the time of publication. Depending on the property, you may also need to pay a fee for an appraisal of the property.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact officials in your city government for the specific guidelines for abandonment in your area.
