Legal Dictionary
Easement
Definition
A right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a specified purpose.
Deep Dive
An Easement is a legal right that allows one party to use or access another person's land for a specified purpose, without owning the land itself. It constitutes a non-possessory interest in the property, meaning the holder of the easement does not have rights of ownership, but merely a limited right of use. Common types include utility easements for power lines or pipes, access easements for driveways or pathways, and drainage easements.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A utility company having a legal easement to run electrical lines across the back portion of a residential property.
- 2A homeowner holding an easement over a neighbor's property to access their own landlocked backyard.
- 3Two businesses sharing a common driveway, with each holding an easement granting the right to use the other's portion.
Related Terms
Right-of-WayServitudeProperty Law