Access to Land in Virginia?

Question

There is an road that leads to the property. The road has not been used since 1960. I herited the land from my parents. Now the 2 properties have been sold in the front of my property and the New Company Owners are requesting $30,000 for me to access my property which is located in the rear of their property (2 tracks of land). The property is located in Fredericks Hall (Louisa County, VA). The road runs parallel to a railroad track. There are 2 properties between my property and the main road. The road actually runs parellel or between the railroad and the 2 new properties. The company has built an road for their properties and runs to the beginning of my property line. I need guidance in obtaining aceess and can the company actually permit me not using the previous established road that they have repaired. Is there an required amount of monies that can be charged for access? what is Virginia state law regarding Land Access or obtaining a deeded right of way?

Answer 1

You need to contact a real estate attorney. If your parents did not have deeded easement to the property, and trusted the previous owners to allow access, the new owners probably have the right to deny access. Easements generally carry forward with the sale of a property, unless they are specifically set to expire by mutual agreement when a sale occurs.