PROPERTY CODE CHAPTER 13. EFFECTS OF RECORDING (2024)



PROPERTY CODE CHAPTER 13. EFFECTS OF RECORDING

PROPERTY CODE

TITLE 3. PUBLIC RECORDS

CHAPTER 13. EFFECTS OF RECORDING

Sec. 13.001. VALIDITY OF UNRECORDED INSTRUMENT. (a) A conveyance of real property or an interest in real property or a mortgage or deed of trust is void as to a creditor or to a subsequent purchaser for a valuable consideration without notice unless the instrument has been acknowledged, sworn to, or proved and filed for record as required by law.

(b) The unrecorded instrument is binding on a party to the instrument, on the party's heirs, and on a subsequent purchaser who does not pay a valuable consideration or who has notice of the instrument.

(c) This section does not apply to a financing statement, a security agreement filed as a financing statement, or a continuation statement filed for record under the Business & Commerce Code.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3495, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 162, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Sec. 13.002. EFFECT OF RECORDED INSTRUMENT. An instrument that is properly recorded in the proper county is:

(1) notice to all persons of the existence of the instrument; and

(2) subject to inspection by the public.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3495, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 715, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 960, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 13.003. INSTRUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED IN OTHER COUNTIES. The original or a certified copy of a conveyance, covenant, agreement, deed of trust, or mortgage, relating to land, that has been recorded in a county of this state other than the county where the land to which the instrument relates is located, is valid as to a creditor or a subsequent purchaser who has paid a valuable consideration and who does not have notice of the instrument only after it is recorded in the county in which the land is located. Recording a previously recorded instrument in the proper county does not validate an invalid instrument.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3496, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

Sec. 13.004. EFFECT OF RECORDING LIS PENDENS. (a) A recorded lis pendens is notice to the world of its contents. The notice is effective from the time it is filed for record and indexed as provided by Section 12.007(c), regardless of whether service has been made on the parties to the proceeding.

(b) A transfer or encumbrance of real property involved in a proceeding by a party to the proceeding to a third party who has paid a valuable consideration and who does not have actual or constructive notice of the proceeding is effective, even though the judgment is against the party transferring or encumbering the property, unless a notice of the pendency of the proceeding has been recorded and indexed under that party's name as provided by Section 12.007(c) in each county in which the property is located.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3496, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 437 (S.B. 1187), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Sec. 13.005. EFFECT OF RECORDING JUDGMENT OF JUSTICE COURT. A certified transcript of a justice court judgment recorded under Section 12.015 of this code has the same effect as a recorded deed. A court shall admit as evidence the transcript or a copy of the transcript, if the copy is certified with the signature and seal of the clerk of the county in which the transcript is recorded, in the same manner and with the same effect as the original judgment and execution.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3496, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

Sec. 13.006. EFFECT OF RECORDING QUITCLAIM DEED. After the fourth anniversary of the date a quitclaim deed for real property is recorded in the deed records of the county in which the real property is located, the quitclaim deed:

(1) does not affect the question of the good faith of a subsequent purchaser or creditor; and

(2) is not notice to a subsequent purchaser or creditor of any unrecorded conveyance of, transfer of, or encumbrance on the real property.

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 94 (S.B. 885), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2021.

PROPERTY CODE  CHAPTER 13. EFFECTS OF RECORDING (2024)

FAQs

What is the effect of recording a warranty deed? ›

Through the recording of a warranty deed, the seller is providing assurances to the buyer should anything unexpected happen. If a third-party filed a claim against the property, even if the seller was unaware, the seller is legally liable to remedy the issue.

What is Section 13.002 of the Texas property Code? ›

An instrument that is properly recorded in the proper county is: (1) notice to all persons of the existence of the instrument; and (2) subject to inspection by the public.

Is a deed worthless if not recorded? ›

In California, an unrecorded interest is valid between the parties thereto and those who have notice thereof. (Civ. Code § 1217.) Just because a deed is unrecorded doesn't mean it isn't valid.

What would cause a deed to be void? ›

Forged deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, or releases. Deed by person who is insane or mentally incompetent. Deed by minor (may be disavowed) Deed from corporation, unauthorized under corporate by-laws or given under falsified corporate resolution.

Who benefits the most from recording a warranty deed? ›

A general warranty deed is the most beneficial for the home buyer because it provides the greatest amount of protection. It's a guarantee from the current owners (also referred to as the grantors) that they have full ownership of the property and have disclosed all encumbrances, liens, easem*nts and judgments.

What is the purpose of recording documents such as a deed to provide? ›

Recording a deed in the county where the property is located places the document in the public records, providing constructive notice to subsequent purchasers, mortgagers, creditors, and the general public about a conveyance related to a specific parcel of real property.

What is Section 13.004 of the Texas Property Code? ›

13.004. EFFECT OF RECORDING LIS PENDENS. (a) A recorded lis pendens is notice to the world of its contents. The notice is effective from the time it is filed for record and indexed as provided by Section 12.007(c), regardless of whether service has been made on the parties to the proceeding.

What is Section 13.001 of the Texas property code? ›

Section 13.001 - Validity of Unrecorded Instrument (a) A conveyance of real property or an interest in real property or a mortgage or deed of trust is void as to a creditor or to a subsequent purchaser for a valuable consideration without notice unless the instrument has been acknowledged, sworn to, or proved and filed ...

What is Section 113.151 of the Texas property code? ›

Demand for Accounting. (a) A beneficiary by written demand may request the trustee to deliver to each beneficiary of the trust a written statement of accounts covering all transactions since the last accounting or since the creation of the trust, whichever is later.

What are the risks of not recording a deed? ›

If Your Deed Is Not Recorded, the Property Could Be Sold Out From Under You (and Other Scary Scenarios) In practical terms, failure to have your property deed recorded would mean that, if you ever wanted to sell, refinance your mortgage, or execute a home equity line of credit (HELOC), you could not do so.

Is an unrecorded deed valid in Texas? ›

Does A Deed Have To Be Recorded In Texas To Be Valid. No- A deed in Texas does not have to be recorded for the transfer of the property to be effective.

What happens if a contract is not recorded? ›

Risk to the Buyer

Unless the contract for deed is recorded, third parties who rely on the state of the title recorded may remove the buyer from title rights and the only remedy of the buyer is to seek relief against the seller who may have left the jurisdiction or be insolvent.

What is the weakest form of deed? ›

A quitclaim deed is usually the weakest deed because it offers the least amount of protection. Quitclaim deeds are often used to transfer ownership between spouses or family members, while a general warranty deed is used for arm's-length transactions.

What voids a deed intended to convey property? ›

If the trial court finds the grantor intended the deed to take effect at some point in the future, or if the trial court finds the grantor thought the deed would not be effective until some subsequent act was performed, then there was no delivery and the deed is void and ineffective.

What is true about an unrecorded deed? ›

In California: “An unrecorded instrument is valid as between the parties thereto and those who have notice thereof.” Code § 1217 However, the absence of a recorded deed can lead to several legal and practical complications.

What is the significance of a warranty deed? ›

If you are buying or selling a property, a warranty deed provides a guarantee against problems with the title. It offers reassurance that the property can be transferred free and clear and there aren't any outstanding mortgages, liens, judgments or other encumbrances against it.

Which is more important title or deed in real estate? ›

When you own a home, the deed is the physical document that proves ownership. The title is the concept of legal ownership that the deed grants you. You can think of the deed as the document that transfers, or passes on, the title or the right to ownership. When you buy a home, you need both.

What is an example of a document that affects title to property but does not actually convey title? ›

What is an example of a document that affects title to property but does not actually convey title? mortgages. Also affecting title are deeds of trust.

What is the purpose of a warranty deed quizlet? ›

WARRANTY DEEDS. Grantee receives greatest amount of protection from grantor. The five covenant of warranty apply. protects the grantee by providing that the grantee will have title to the property even if the grantor acquire the title at a later time.

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