Category: Seashore Real Estate

If you receive this letter from South Jersey Gas or Precision Pipeline Solutions, it’s a legitimate request to update the gas meter.

Based on the “second notice” language on our letter, I obviously dismissed it as well.

The techs need to turn off the gas while they elevate the meter and add new pipes.  Then the pilots inside are re-lit and checked (so access inside the house is necessary).

For many homes, this includes checking the gas stove, heater, dryer, hot water heater, and fireplace.

According to the tech who worked at our home, if owners don’t respond and make appointments, Pipeline Solutions was just granted approval to turn off the gas to complete the work, and then lock the meter until interior access is provided.

This will off course be a huge inconvenience for the next occupant (owner or tenant) because major appliances won’t function until the gas company returns!

If you have gas service at your Avalon or Stone Harbor property , it’s worthwhile to call the gas company to confirm this update.

Great weather so far this summer.  A few wild rain storms to keep us out of a drought…and then back to hot, sunny beach days.

There are vacation rentals still available for the upcoming weeks:  Power Play Realty Rental Search

Thank you for sharing this info with friends/family looking to spend time on the island.

I’m here to help!  ann@anndelaney.com  or 609-967-7950

We started off strong, yet we still have availability for prime summer vacation weeks!

Please pass the word if you have friends or family thinking about a last minute rental in Avalon or Stone Harbor NJ!

Tim Kerr’s Power Play Realty rental web site

I’m here to help.

Thanks!

ann@powerplayrealty.com

I attended a seminar this morning with important information regarding bay front ownership.

Some Riparian Grants issued between the late 1980s through the early 2000s have the following language:

“This grant is made upon the condition and limitation that there shall be no further filling of the presently flowed tidelands.  If any filling does occur within the presently flowed tidelands herein granted, the title to the lands conveyed herein shall immediately and automatically revert to the ownership of the State of New Jersey, but without any diminution in the consideration paid upon the delivery of this instrument.”

When a property owner installs a new bulkhead (which typically extends out 24″ from the existing bulkhead based on current zoning), the State defines the added 24″ as  “filling”.  And YES, even if the required DEP and/or CAFRA permits were obtained.

The Department of Tidelands has a new regime, and this enforcement is viewed by attorneys and title company representatives as a method to generate revenue.  Frustrating to say the least!

Bottom line: the State of New Jersey expects the land owner to “buy back” this filled area, even though a large sum of money was paid for the original Riparian Grant.  

Unfortunately, the issue will not go away.  Even if a bay front owner has no plans to sell, their heirs will eventually face the problem.  And because the cost to resolve is based on the value of the land, it makes sense to remove the lien sooner rather than later.

Practical steps if you own a property on the bay:

1) Find your original title work (settlement papers).  If a Riparian Grant was issued on the property, it will be attached.

2) Read the language in the grant- checking specially for the reverter clause referenced above (not necessarily in all grants).

3) If the reverter clause is in the grant, and you have installed a new bulkhead that sits out beyond the original bulkhead, it’s important to move forward with a resolution.  A current survey will be needed to show the exact measurements of the new bulkhead, too.

A local title company and land use attorney can help you apply for a Statement of Non-Interest or a Confirmatory Grant from the State of New Jersey.

I am here to provide recommendations for experienced professionals, and answer any questions to the best of my ability.