ALTA Land Surveying Standards

ALTA stands for 'American Land Title Association' and it is one of the accredited land title surveys in the United States. ALTA land surveying is designed for commercial purposes, and it follows a set of standard codes to ensure the correct manner of conducting the survey for construction purposes.  Since February 23, 2011, the ALTA land title survey minimum standard detail requirements were put into effect and superseded previous versions of their standards. Hence, surveyors must recognize and be aware of every federal, local, and state standards to ensure the accuracy of their survey.

Information from an ALTA survey should assist purchasers and lenders in evaluating the property and the land for potential risks. The data could reveal some vital information on the benefits of owning that property, too. Hence, ALTA surveys are typically used in providing information on property easements and boundaries, as well as for offering suggestions when there is a need to improve land with trails, roads, fences, rights of ways, and others.

The current title commitment must be presented before completing an ALTA survey. Surveyors refer to a title commitment to legally describe the property and any of its exceptions. Areas of encumbrances, improvements, and ownership will be graphically shown. Any encroachments found must be shown geographically, and the surveyor may add a note to indicate their nature.

An ALTA survey's certification language must include the names of affected parties, such as the title company, lender, seller, and buyer. Hence, surveyors must work closely with the title insurance company so they can rely on one another's work to demonstrate the matters, which may affect the ownership of the land.

You can hire an ALTA land title surveyor that is approved by the association itself. This way, you can be sure that the company meets all the survey standards set by authorized institutions and the government, and make sure that the company is providing a reliable service to help you save money and time.