Eminent Domain and Relocation Benefits

What is Eminent Domain?
and
What are Relocation Benefits?

The common definition – Eminent domain is the term given to the inherent power of the state (meaning any public agency) to seize a citizen’s private property, without the owner’s consent. In most cases, the government agency will condemn the property and purchase right-of-way to use it for a public project for the “greater good.”

Relocation benefits mainly are cost reimbursements by the public agency, when eminent domain is in use for certain relocation categories spelled out in the relocation guidelines.  When federal funds are included in the project or state laws require it, relocation benefits must be paid to those that are considered a displaced person.

I have prepared an abbreviated cheat sheet for your use of the eligible business relocation benefits provided on federally funded projects or those that follow the Uniform Relocation Act.  Ask about the top categories that are the most underutilized and which compile the highest amounts of eligible reimbursable costs, frequently in the hundreds of thousand dollars and as high as $35 million in a single relocation case.

The federal relocation guidelines known as: PART 24—UNIFORM RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY-ASSISTED PROGRAMS, often abbreviated as The Uniform Act.

For property owners and businesses, eminent domain can be a complex process. If you receive a Notice of Intent to Acquire, it is important to understand that the government is not necessarily looking out for your best interests. To get a fair and equitable compensation for your land and relocation of your business, you will benefit from finding an expert who can shine a light on all the facts and uncover the details that will help find the true value of your property improvements or business relocation.