EstatePass
Practice Of Real EstateState_specificEASY

Sarah purchases a 10-acre farm in rural Utah. The seller's water right certificate, issued by the Utah State Engineer, covers irrigation use from a nearby creek. The purchase contract is silent on water rights. After closing, Sarah discovers the seller did not transfer the water rights. Which statement best describes the legal situation under Utah law?

Correct Answer

A) Sarah has no right to use the creek water because the water rights remained with the seller

Under Utah's prior appropriation doctrine (Utah Code Ann. § 73-1-1 et seq.), water rights are a separate property interest from the land and do NOT automatically transfer with the sale of real property. Because the purchase contract was silent on water rights and no separate conveyance of the water right was executed, the water rights remained with the seller. Sarah has no legal authority to use the creek water under the seller's water right certificate.

Answer Options
A
Sarah has no right to use the creek water because the water rights remained with the seller
B
The water rights transferred automatically because real property conveyances include all appurtenant rights
C
Sarah can claim the water rights through adverse possession after five years of continuous use
D
The water rights automatically transferred with the land because they were used to irrigate the property

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

water_rightsconveyanceprior_appropriationseparate_property_interestpurchase_contract

Related Concepts

A tie-in arrangement is an illegal antitrust practice in which a seller conditions the purchase of one product or service on the buyer's agreement to purchase a separate product or service.

A trust account, also called an escrow account, is a separate bank account maintained by a broker to hold funds belonging to others, such as earnest money deposits, security deposits, or other client funds.

Advertising regulations govern how real estate licensees may market properties and services, requiring truthful, non-deceptive advertising that includes proper identification of the brokerage.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Practice Of Real Estate Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing