What is meant by constructive notice in property ownership?

Constructive notice refers to the legal presumption that information, usually related to property rights, has been made available to the public, typically through formal recording. When ownership or other property interests are recorded in the appropriate public registry, such as a county clerk's office, it creates constructive notice. This means that anyone dealing with the property is assumed to be aware of those rights, even if they have not directly examined the records themselves. This concept protects property owners from claims by others who might argue they were unaware of existing interests or encumbrances attached to the property.

By ensuring that property transactions are public and recorded, constructive notice promotes transparency and helps prevent disputes over ownership. In this context, the other options do not capture the essence of constructive notice as effectively. Knowledge of property rights does not inherently imply public recording, private agreements may not be formally known to the public, and lease notifications pertain to different legal aspects than ownership itself.