Easement
Easement, in law, the right to a limited use of land belonging to another person; also, the right to prevent an owner from making certain use of his own land. The most common easement is a right of way, that is, the right to cross the land of another. Another easement is the right to drain property by turning water across the land of a neighbor. In some states a property owner may be able to prevent the owner of adjoining land from erecting a building that will shut off light or air.
Easements are created in various ways. They may be based on a grant or agreement. Electric and telephone companies ordinarily obtain this kind of easement for their poles and underground cables. Under certain conditions easements may also arise through long custom. For example, if a landowner knowingly permits persons to cross his land over a long period, an easement may be created.