Property easement rights interpretation is a question that arises from time to time, especially when one or more parties does not have a written agreement. This can include verbal permission to use someone else’s land and may also involve structures or fences that were built on the property without written permission. In some cases, an easement can be implied, but in others, the property owner must prove that a prescriptive easement exists.
The easiest way to avoid a prescriptive easement is to give the person using your land written permission to do so. This prevents the individual from becoming a trespasser, and it also prevents anyone who buys the land later from claiming they have inherited an easement by prescription. An easement can also be implied by a prior oral agreement between the two parties, but it is better to get the agreement in writing to prevent problems down the road. Read more https://www.sellmyphillyhouse.com/we-buy-houses-lancaster-pennsylvania/
In addition to the requirement that a prescriptive easement must be adverse, a court of law must determine that it is sufficiently public and notorious to meet its requirements. In other words, the use must be open and obvious and must have been continuous for a statutory period of years. The statutory period in New York is 10 years. However, in the case of a right-of-way, the statutory period can be as little as five years.
Another way an easement can be created is by condemnation. This happens when a government entity acquires private land for the purpose of building a public project, such as a road or railroad. It is a form of eminent domain, and the individual whose land was acquired must receive just compensation.
A third way that an easement can be created is by necessity. This is when a
particular use of the land is indispensable for its owner’s reasonable and beneficial enjoyment of it. This can be seen in a situation where an access road is necessary for a residential or commercial property to obtain the water, gas, electricity and other utilities that the property needs to function.
An easement can be terminated if a court finds that it has been used beyond its intended purpose or interferes with the owner’s reasonable use of the property. For example, if a private road has been used as a highway for recreational vehicles, the court could terminate the easement based on this finding.
If you have questions about a specific piece of land, it is best to consult an attorney who is familiar with your state’s real estate laws and the recent court decisions that apply to those laws. A lawyer can help you understand the complexities of property easements and other issues that may affect your property. To learn more about these legal topics, you can also read the book Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees,
Boundaries & Noise, by Peter Nelson. You can also contact your local bar association for a referral to a qualified attorney in your area.