Deeds & Title
Any outstanding claim, lien, or encumbrance that casts doubt on the validity of an owner's title to property.
A cloud on title is any issue discovered during a title search that raises questions about who actually owns a property or whether the title is marketable. Common causes include unreleased liens, errors in public records, undisclosed heirs, forged documents, or breaks in the chain of title. Clouds must generally be resolved before a property can be sold or financed. A quiet title action is a lawsuit used to establish clear title and remove the cloud.
Study Guide
Deeds & Title
Key concepts and exam tips →
Practice
NY Real Estate Deeds and Title
Free sample questions →
Preparing for the NY Real Estate Exam?
Unlocked covers Cloud on Title and every other concept on the NY Real Estate Salesperson Exam — with study modules, practice questions, spaced-repetition flashcards, and Carl, your AI tutor.
click for a haiku!