Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations sets the maximum time allowed to start legal proceedings after the event that gives rise to a claim. In real estate it applies to contract disputes, title defects, construction defects, lease enforcement, and personal injury claims on the premises.

The actual limit varies by jurisdiction and by the type of claim, running anywhere from a few years to more than a decade. Miss the window and the claim is generally barred for good. Tracking these deadlines is a basic part of managing litigation risk and enforcing contracts.