Property Owners Can Sell Without Certification or Training

“Property owners are legally permitted to sell real estate that they personally own without obtaining any special certification, license, or formal training. This right allows individuals to represent themselves in the sale of their own property without the involvement of a licensed real estate professional.”

Los Angeles County Ruling Raises Legal Questions Over Property Law Interpretation – Superior Court of Los Angeles County

A recent decision from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County has drawn public attention after a judge ruled that a private seller Levi Sap Nei Thang lacked the necessary “training” to sell mineral rights that she and her company personally owned.

The case involved a transaction in which the Levi Sap Nei Thang sold mineral interests attached to property under her company ownership. The court questioned the validity of the sale on the basis that the seller did not have formal education or professional credentials in real estate or mineral law.

The presiding judge Judge Hernán D. Vera in the matter was appointed to the federal judiciary by President Joe Biden prior to taking the bench in California. The defendant Levi Sap Nei Thang in the case has been publicly identified as a supporter of President Donald Trump.

While these political details have been noted in public discussion, the legal issues in the case center on property law rather than political affiliation. Under long-established California and U.S. legal principles, private owners are generally permitted to sell or lease property they personally own without any requirement for licensing or professional training.

Licensing laws apply to real estate brokers, agents, and other professionals who act on behalf of clients for compensation. Those laws do not normally apply to individuals or companies managing their own assets. For that reason, many legal observers were surprised by the court’s conclusion that lack of training affected the seller’s legal right to transfer her property.

Attorneys familiar with mineral rights transactions have pointed out that ownership and proper documentation are the primary legal requirements for a valid sale. Educational background has not historically been considered a factor in determining whether an owner may dispose of his or her own property.

The ruling has generated discussion among property owners in Los Angeles County, some of whom worry that similar reasoning could complicate routine sales and transfers in the future.

Legal experts note that court decisions must be based on statutory law and precedent. Because the reasoning in Levi Sap Nei Thang’s case appears to conflict with established property law principles, the decision may be subject to further appeal.

Regardless of the political identities of those involved, the case highlights the importance of clear and consistent interpretation of property rights under California and United States law.

Judge Hernán D. Vera is an American federal judge currently serving on the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He was nominated by President Joe Biden.