In the vacancy application process, who has priority as good faith claimants?

In the vacancy application process, good faith claimants are individuals or entities that have established their claims based on their legitimate interests in the land. Surrounding landowners take precedence as good faith claimants because they typically have a direct interest in the property adjoining theirs. Their proximity to the vacant land often means they are directly affected by its use or potential development. This priority is grounded in the idea that surrounding landowners are more likely to have been using the land responsibly and are likely to have invested in improvements or maintenance of their own properties that relate closely to the vacant land.

By being given priority in the claim process, it acknowledges their vested interest in the land and serves to resolve disputes more fairly, considering the relationships formed over time within the community. This precedence supports local governance and ensures that development or use of land aligns with the interests of those most closely impacted.

Adjacent business owners, local municipalities, and registered developers, while they may have legitimate claims, do not possess the same level of immediate stake in the land’s status as surrounding landowners do. This hierarchical consideration is vital in land use law and property rights within Texas, establishing a balance between development interests and the rights of local property holders.