The Real Estate Encyclopedia & Blog

Notice

by | Feb 6, 2026

In real estate and law, notice refers to knowledge or information that affects a person’s rights or responsibilities with respect to property or a transaction. Notice may arise in several different forms, each with distinct legal significance.

Actual notice is express or implied knowledge of a fact that a person actually possesses. Constructive notice is knowledge that the law imputes to a person because the facts were discoverable through reasonable inquiry, such as information contained in public records. Legal notice refers to information that must be given in a manner prescribed by law, often to formally inform parties of rights, obligations, or pending actions.