Easements define a property owner’s right to use another’s land for a limited purpose—like access or utilities—without transferring ownership. They can increase or restrict a property’s value depending on their type and scope. Understanding how easements are created, recorded, and enforced helps buyers and developers avoid disputes and protect their property rights. Learn the key types of easements, how they’re established, and why proper legal review is essential before closing on any real estate transaction.

On September 24th, the New York State Supreme Court delivered a key victory for cannabis retailers by blocking a new rule that could have forced dozens of dispensaries to relocate. The Court upheld OCM’s 2024 guidance, confirming that the required 500-foot distance from schools must be measured from entrance to entrance—not property line to property line. This ruling protects 44 applicants and 108 licensees through February 15, 2026, providing much-needed clarity and stability for the industry.

Discover how maintenance responsibilities are typically divided in commercial leases, from structural repairs to routine upkeep, and how to negotiate favorable terms.

Discover the steps to strengthen your case on appeal, including preserving trial errors, meeting filing deadlines, and presenting persuasive legal arguments.

Buying property in Albany’s historic hill towns can unexpectedly reveal a serious challenge: your sole access route might cross your neighbor’s property

Explore how shifting workplace policies are affecting office space needs, vacancy rates, and lease terms in the commercial real estate market.

Discover key negotiation tactics for commercial leases, including rent adjustments, tenant improvements, and exit clauses that align with your business needs.

Understand the legal standards for obtaining a zoning variance, including demonstrating unique hardship, compliance with community plans, and minimal adverse impact.

Adverse possession laws in New York can allow individuals to gain legal ownership of property they’ve occupied without permission—but only under strict conditions. In this blog, The West Firm's real estate attorneys break down the essential elements, recent court interpretations, and what landowners need to know to protect their rights.

Learn the rules around solar company solicitations, including your right to accept, decline, or negotiate terms before signing any agreement.

Discover how environmental permitting requirements may delay development, increase costs, or lead to project modifications, and how to address these challenges proactively.

Understand your legal options if a landlord claims you violated your lease, including dispute resolution, lease interpretation, and potential defenses.

Understand the causes of title disputes, including conflicting deeds, liens, and boundary issues, and the legal strategies available to resolve them effectively in New York.

Learn the legal grounds and negotiation strategies for ending a commercial lease, from breach of contract to early termination clauses, while avoiding costly disputes.

Adverse possession allows someone who openly and continuously occupies another’s property—without permission—to potentially acquire legal ownership after a statutory period under New York law. This article explains the strict requirements like hostile, notorious, exclusive possession, tax payment, and claim of right, and highlights how New York’s 2008 statutory amendments modernized the doctrine.

Learn about the most common form of commercial lease, its key features, cost responsibilities, and how it affects both landlords and tenants in business property rentals.

Understand the critical due diligence terms often included in a letter of intent, including timelines, inspection rights, and contingencies that can safeguard your investment.

Explore the legal and contractual restrictions that can impact a property sale, such as zoning laws, deed restrictions, and environmental regulations, and how to navigate them effectively.

Understand how adverse possession works in commercial real estate, including the legal requirements, potential defenses, and ways to prevent property disputes.

Learn the role of a letter of intent in commercial real estate transactions, including how it sets expectations, clarifies deal terms, and helps avoid disputes.