New York State Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

Which clause in a deed provides the legal description of the property?

1. Boundary clause

2. Legal descriptions

3. Land use clause

4. Encumbrance clause

The correct answer is: Legal descriptions

The clause that provides the legal description of the property in a deed is known as the legal description clause. This section is crucial as it precisely defines the boundaries and dimensions of the property being transferred. This ensures that the property can be clearly identified and delineated from any others, which is particularly important in matters of ownership, title transfer, and legal disputes. A legal description typically includes details such as the parcel number, lot number, and metes and bounds or other specific geographic information. This level of detail is necessary to establish clear ownership and to protect the interests of both the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction. Other options, while they might relate to property in different contexts, do not serve this specific purpose. The boundary clause might imply dimensions but is not the standard terminology used for deeds. The land use clause pertains to the types of activities permissible on the property and does not provide legal descriptions. The encumbrance clause outlines any claims or liens against the property, which is separate from defining its physical characteristics. Thus, the legal description clause is the accurate choice for this question.