Overview

This bestselling practical handbook tells you how to understand the legal issues affecting contaminated land. Written for non-lawyers, but also useful for general practitioners and corporate counsel, it is particularly helpful for real estate professionals, accountants, lenders and borrowers, and business people. The book includes checklists and sample clauses.

Top ∧Content Summary

• The Legal Framework
• Managing Contamination
• Managing Liability
• Index

Top ∧Table of Contents

Chapter 1  Introduction

• Purpose of the Guide
• What Is Contaminated Land?
• What Kinds of Activities Cause Contamination?
• Who Decides that Land Is Contaminated?
• The Financial Risks of Contaminated Land

Chapter 2  The Legal Framework

• Jurisdiction: Who Makes the Rules?
• The Basic Principles of Environmental Law
• Must Contamination Be Reported?
• Must You Clean It Up?
• Who Pays for Environmental Cleanups?

Chapter 3  Managing Contamination

• Doing Nothing
• Walking Away
• Selling the Property
• Site Cleanup

Chapter 4  Managing Liability

• Before the Offer of Purchase and Sale
• After the Offer of Purchase and Sale

Chapter 5  Conclusion

Appendix A  Real Estate Purchaser's Basic Environmental Worry List

Appendix B  Vendor Disclosure

Appendix C  Notice to Potential Purchasers

Appendix D  Sources of Public Information

Appendix E  Sample: Environmental Conditions for an Agreement of Purchase and Sale

Index