Question 1

What is a lot and block legal description?

Accepted Answer

A lot and block legal description identifies a parcel of real property by referencing its lot number and block number as shown on a recorded subdivision plat. The description includes: the lot number (the specific parcel within the block), the block number (a group of lots within the subdivision), the subdivision name (as shown on the recorded plat), and the recording information (plat book and page number where the plat is recorded in the county’s public records). Example: "Lot 15, Block 3, of Palm Beach Estates, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 42, Page 17, of the Public Records of Lee County, Florida." This method is the most common legal description for residential properties in Florida because most residential communities are platted subdivisions.

Question 2

How is a lot and block description created?

Accepted Answer

Creation: (1) A developer purchases raw land and hires a licensed surveyor to prepare a subdivision plat. (2) The surveyor divides the land into lots (individual parcels) and blocks (groups of lots), and creates a plat map showing: the lot boundaries with dimensions, the block boundaries, streets and roads, easements and rights-of-way, and common areas. (3) The plat is submitted to the local government for approval (the developer must comply with subdivision regulations, including: lot size minimums, road standards, utility requirements, and drainage requirements). (4) The approved plat is recorded in the county’s plat book. (5) Each lot is now identified by its lot and block number within the recorded plat.

Question 3

What happens if a lot and block description is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Error consequences: an incorrect lot and block description can: identify the wrong parcel (if the lot or block number is wrong, the deed may convey a different property than intended), create a cloud on the title (the true owner may have difficulty proving ownership if the description is wrong), and require a corrective deed (a new deed with the correct description must be recorded to fix the error). In Florida, title companies and attorneys verify lot and block descriptions against the recorded plat before closing. If an error is discovered after closing, the parties may need to: execute and record a corrective deed, file a quiet title action (if the error creates competing claims), or file a title insurance claim (if the title company insured the incorrect description).

Lot and Block

Lot and Block Legal Descriptions

Components

Creation

Error Correction

Related Terms

Barnes Walker Title

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