When a natural gas company comes knocking to lease and drill on your land, will you know your rights?

Wednesday night more than 300 people came out to the Binghamton Regency to meet with a local law firm.

And as Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us, people should read the fine print before signing a lease.

A recent boom in oil and gas leasing has these people curious.

And attorneys from Hinman, Howard and Kattell in Binghamton...

Are answering legal questions before land owners sign on the dotted line.

"We've had oil and gas leases since the 30's, but never have we've seen this kind of interest. We feel like they're really going to drill," said Lillian Levy of Hinman Howard and Kattell.

People want to know their rights when leasing land...

Allowing oil and gas companies to drill on their property.

They say the bottom line isn't necessarily their top priority.

"We all need money, but it's not the most important thing. What's also important is the terms of the lease. How long it's going to last?" said Terri Hasson of Windsor.

"My drinking water comes out of the ground. I have a well. That would be a concern of mine," said Richard Giles of Kirkwood.

Another concern is surface rights...

How much control these people will have over the property their houses sit on.

They want to ensure that drilling is done a distance from their homes.

And when the job is complete, that the land is restored.

Hinman, Howard & Kattell may not have all the answers right now, but it can make signing a lease easier to understand.

So before you grab a pen, make sure the lease has been reviewed by an attorney.

Hinman, Howard & Kattell says it had to turn away more than 150 people tonight.

It does have a waiting list, should it decide to hold another meeting.