2020 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 47 - Property Law
Article 7B - Condominium Act - Creation, Alteration and Termination of Condominiums
Section 47-7B-16 - Easement rights.

Subject to the provisions of the declaration, a declarant has an easement through the common elements as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of discharging a declarant's obligations or exercising special declarant rights, whether arising under the Condominium Act or reserved in the declaration.

History: Laws 1982, ch. 27, § 28.

Compiler's notes. — This section is substantially similar to § 2-116 of the Uniform Condominium Act.

COMMISSIONERS' COMMENT

1. This section grants to declarant an easement across the common elements, subject to any self-imposed restrictions on that easement contained in the declaration. At the same time, the easement is not an easement for all purposes and under all circumstances, but only a grant of such rights as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of exercising the declarant's rights. Thus, for example, if other access were equally available to the land where new units are being created, which did not require the declarant's construction equipment to pass and repass over the common elements in a manner which significantly inconvenienced the unit owners, a court might apply the "reasonably necessary" test contained in this section to consider limitations on the declarant's easement. The rights granted by this section may be enlarged by a specific reservation in the declaration.

2. The declarant is also required to repair and restore any portion of the condominium used for the easement granted under this section. See § 4-119(b) [47-7D-19B NMSA 1978].

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 15A Am. Jur. 2d Condominiums and Cooperative Apartments §§ 14, 26, 34.

Proper party plaintiff in action for injury to common areas of condominium development, 69 A.L.R.3d 1148.

31 C.J.S. Estates § 153 et seq.