Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

If a property deed does not mention a strip of land, what does the Strips and Gore Doctrine imply?

1. The strip is lost to the government

2. The strip is claimed by neighboring property owners

3. The strip is assumed to belong to the grantee

4. The strip must be surveyed before ownership is determined

The correct answer is: The strip is assumed to belong to the grantee

The Strips and Gore Doctrine is a legal principle that applies in situations where a property deed does not explicitly mention a particular strip of land or small parcel that lies between two properties. According to this doctrine, if a property owner conveys land by deed and fails to include a strip of land that is adjacent to the conveyed area but is clearly part of the broader piece of land owned, that strip is generally assumed to be included in the conveyance to the grantee. This principle aims to prevent disputes over minor strips of land that might otherwise lead to complicated legal battles. The logic reinforces the idea that landowners typically intend to pass full ownership of their property, including any incidental strips of land that may not have been specifically referenced but are nonetheless part of the overall estate. Understanding this concept is important for surveyors and property professionals because it highlights how property boundaries are interpreted in the absence of explicit descriptions in deeds. It also emphasizes the significance of clarity in property descriptions to avoid unforeseen claims or disputes.