A utility company has the permanent right to run power lines across the back of a homeowner’s lot. That right is an easement. It allows limited use of another person’s land for a specific purpose without transferring ownership.

Easements may be created by written agreement, by necessity, by prescription after long continuous use, or by condemnation. Common types include utility easements, access easements for landlocked parcels, and conservation easements that restrict development. The property that benefits is the dominant estate; the one burdened is the servient estate.

Easements usually run with the land and bind future owners. They appear in title reports and can affect building plans or perceived value. Disputes arise when the scope of use is unclear or when the easement holder exceeds the granted rights. Clearing or relocating an easement often requires negotiation or legal action.

• Legal right to use another’s land for a specific purpose
• Does not transfer ownership
• Often permanent and binding on future owners
• Appears in title records and surveys