Por Johnathan Hladik, exdirector de políticas
La prescripción adquisitiva es un principio de derecho consuetudinario que se remonta al año 2000 a. C. Este principio jurídico se mencionó en 5,046 casos en Estados Unidos entre 1960 y 2015. Durante el mismo período, hubo 176 casos en Nebraska que citaron la prescripción adquisitiva.
Según esta doctrina, las personas que hayan ocupado un terreno durante 10 años pueden reclamar la propiedad si cumplen ciertos requisitos legales. Para reclamar la prescripción adquisitiva según la ley vigente de Nebraska, los requisitos son:
- Real, que requiere el uso de la propiedad.
- Exclusivo, lo que significa que solo el intruso está en posesión del mismo.
- Abierto y notorio, lo que significa que la ocupación no se oculta al propietario ni al público en general.
- Hostil, realizado sin el permiso del propietario.
- Continuous, occupation over a 10-year period.
Does a land use law created centuries ago still have a place in today’s society? The Center for Rural Affairs recently examined this question in its report, “Adverse to Change: A Modern Look at Adverse Possession.”
There is cause for concern when a landowner who has been paying property taxes on a parcel of land loses it to a claim of adverse possession. Nebraskans take great pride in land ownership, and should be treated fairly when we follow the rules and pay the taxes we owe.
Unlike 18 other states, Nebraska code allows an adverse possessor to claim ownership to a parcel of land even if the original owner has been consistently paying taxes on the property. When this happens, the original owner not only loses the land, but is stuck paying taxes for property they didn’t use. This can result in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars.
Adverse possession is an important doctrine that encourages productive use of property, but it can be manipulated to take advantage of a landowner acting in good faith. Other states have addressed these issues by giving courts the power to award damages for property taxes paid when doing so is fair and equitable to all parties involved. This same action is needed in Nebraska, and we encourage the Unicameral to make this change.
With LB 28, Sen. Kolterman has introduced a proposal to ensure that adverse possession retains its role in encouraging the productive use of land, while guaranteeing that justice is the result.
Our recent report provides a historical perspective of adverse possession and explores the legislative solutions enacted around the country to address issues of fairness. To view “Adverse to Change: A Modern Look at Adverse Possession,” haz clic aquí..
