An easement is a legal arrangement where the owner of a property grants someone else the right to use their property in some way without the owner giving up legal title to the land.
A property easement is generally a binding, written agreement that is recorded in the public records in the county where the property is located.
The most common easements are those granted to public utility companies. They have an easement through private property to maintain equipment like power, telephone, sewer, water, and gas lines.
Easements also commonly occur when a property owner allows a neighbor to have a right of way through their property – or for something like a joint driveway.
It’s important to note that an easement carries over when a new owner assumes the property. Most easements continue indefinitely unless terminated in writing or by mutual agreement, expiration or abandonment.
