Land Descriptions

(1) Terminology. The following terminology shall be used in land descriptions: (a) “Beginning” shall mean a well-defined, readily located, and permanent point or monument which is both the starting point and final point for a written metes and bounds description. (b) “Boundary line” shall mean an adequately dimensioned and described line or curve bounding an area or dividing separate properties. (c) “Conveyance” shall mean the act of transferring title or rights in a property. (d) “Coordinate description” shall mean a description of lands in which the angle points or other points in the boundary are each referred to grid coordinates on the Tennessee or similar coordinate system. (e) “Description by lot number” shall mean a description which identifies a lot or tract of land by reference to book and page or recorded instrument numbers of a county register in which a Survey Plat is recorded with other pertinent information. (f) “Grantor” shall mean a person or party conveying property or rights therein to a grantee. (g) “Grantee” shall mean a person or party receiving title to or rights in property. (h) “Grid coordinates” shall mean distances measured at right angles to each other in a rectangular system having two base lines at right angles to each other. (i) “Metes and bounds description” shall mean a written description in which the boundary lines starting from a given point are described by listing the direction, distance, and description of corners of the lines and/or curves forming the boundary. (j) “Title” shall mean a written claim or right which constitutes a just and legal cause of exclusive possession. (2) Preparation. The Land Surveyor may prepare a written land description but shall not engage in the writing of a deed. In the preparation of a land description, the Land Surveyor shall include within the document their full name, registration number, and the date of the survey from which the information was procured (or the book and page numbers of the recorded Survey Plat or deed, if used in preparing the description). (3) Content. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE CHAPTER 0820-03 (a) In the description by a lot number of a lot located in a subdivision, the following information shall appear: the name of the subdivision; the general location of the property to include the city, county, and state, the lot number, the name of the subdivision plat, the book and page number of the subdivision plat, and the county register’s office in which the subdivision plat is recorded. (b) A metes and bounds description shall include the general location of the property being described with sufficient accuracy so that the property can be readily located on the ground. The beginning point must be so selected that it can readily and accurately be located from some previously established monument, corner of record, etc., and can be readily described. The description shall include the names of adjoining property owners and/or a reference to any adjoining lots within a plat of record. The description shall include all found/set corner monuments and/or reference monuments, and each shall be described by size and material. A metes and bounds description shall describe a course around the property in a clockwise direction. All lines adjacent to streets, roads or other rights-of-way shall be referenced to same; and all pertinent distances and curve data shall be listed. Curves shall be defined at a minimum by the arc length, curve radius, long chord bearing and long chord distance. Corners falling in inaccessible locations shall be referenced to nearby and permanent points.