Lot and Block

The lot and block (or recorded plat) system is the most common land description method for urban and suburban residential properties. It relies on a developer filing a detailed plat map showing the exact boundaries of individual lots, blocks, and streets.

Texas-Specific Nuance & Citation

Under Texas Property Code Chapter 12, for a lot and block description to be legally binding in a deed, the subdivision plat map must be approved by local municipal planning authorities and formally recorded in the Plat Records of the county where the property is located.

The Trap

Candidates sometimes think a street address (e.g., “123 Main St, Austin, TX”) is a valid legal description. It is not. A street address is an informal reference. For a deed or contract to be legally binding, it must use a formal legal description like lot and block or metes and bounds.

Worked Example

A deed for a home in Round Rock describes the property as: “Lot 4, Block G, Oak Creek Subdivision, Phase 2, Williamson County, Texas, as recorded in Plat Book 12, Page 45.” This is a legally valid lot and block legal description.