Power line easement involves using your land to construct and maintain your power provider’s equipment, including the lines running directly to your home. In many eminent domain cases like this, the land remains yours, even when a third party needs to use it.
North Carolina utility companies like Duke Energy and Dominion Energy own the power lines that residents rely on daily. What can you do if you receive a notice for a power line easement? More importantly: How can a power line easement impact the value of your home?
What Is a Power Line Easement?
A power line easement—also known as a right-of-way easement, gives your utility provider the authority to utilize a small part of your land to build, maintain, or upgrade power equipment. This right-of-way includes power lines and anything else required.
Contacting an eminent domain lawyer before signing the paperwork is essential. While it may not seem like an enormous burden, a power line easement may lower the value of your land in various ways. There could be residual damage, construction damage, and less land for you to do with as you wish, especially when making renovations.
What North Carolina Homeowners Need to Know About Power Line Easement
The word easement means power providers have access to the land they need to provide service. As long as a landowner pledges to allow the company to do what they need, they won’t lose their rights to the land through this transaction.
The company, the holder of the easement, doesn’t own this land outright, even if power lines run underground. You’ll still be required to pay property taxes when sharing your property through a power line easement. However, you may be limited in terms of any future construction plans you may have for the land you provide.
Does a power line easement ever expire? Arrangements of this nature often “run with the land.” This term means they usually last for as long as the asking party remains in operation and will generally transfer with the property deed in the event of a sale. The new owner becomes obligated to the claim, and the arrangement continues.
How to Proceed After Getting a Notice: Protect Your Rights as a Property Owner
While a power line easement is a matter of eminent domain, your rights stand firm when a new power line easement lands on the table. Utility companies can’t take your property from you, but there are still plenty of rules and regulations with which you should be familiar.
Many easement issues are outlined above. If you have more questions regarding a power line easement on your property, contact a skilled North Carolina eminent domain attorney. You may be entitled to more compensation.