water easements?

Question

the water company wants to put a 5' easment across my business property. this will tear up my parking lot and interfere with the signage in front of my business, plus surrender the use of this land. how do I determine what to ask for compensation?

Answer 1

Call a lawyer, you may not be able to get any compensation many times utility companies have "in gross" easements that allow them to function.

Answer 2

You used the word "Easement" This means that you still have the use of the parking lot and they have the right to service their water line in case of a main break etc. The parking lot would have to be returned to its original condition. For example you have seen high power tension lines and underground high pressure natural gas lines going across a farmers land and the farmer is still growing his crops under the power lines. The farmer as a rule is paid for the use of the land so they can service the equipment if necessary. Comes the question: Do you actually own the parking lot or do you lease the building and he owns the parking lot?

Answer 3

If a company has the right of use of the underground resources, there`s pretty much nothing you can do., and it`s little likely you will receive as compensation more than the value of the damage they make, unless they fix it themselves.
If they just want to put a pipe under your property because for them is shorter, than you can ask for as much as you want. Try to estimate how much are they saving by doingit that way,..and ..you could ask up to 70% of that or so.

Answer 4

I suggest you consider making the compensation a daily amount rather than a fixed amount.

Answer 5

I have friends who own land but not mineral rights and they can strip his land and dig it up. Good guestion.