Knowledge Builders

what is the difference between an easement and an encroachment

by Mrs. Madonna Schmeler Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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People often confuse encroachment is sometimes confused with easement. Both involve a property owner making extensions over their neighbor's property. While encroachments are the unauthorized use of the neighbor's property, easements are agreed upon by both parties.

Full Answer

What is an easement encroachment agreement?

Easement Owner, admits to being aware of said Encroachment and consents thereto and represents that Easement Owner, will not require the removal of the house (or other type encroachment) and will not require the attached improvements to be removed. An easement gives one party the right to go onto another party's property.

What can you do about an encroachment?

What can you do if someone builds something on my property in Alabama?

  • To begin with, you can, and probably should, talk to your neighbor about it. ...
  • If your neighbor is unable or unwilling to remove the encroachment, but is otherwise open to resolving the issue, you may wish to consider selling the encroached-upon property to him. ...
  • If all else fails, going to court may be required to get rid of an encroachment. ...

What does encroachment mean in real estate?

Encroachment in real estate is defined as one property owner violating their neighbor's rights by building or extending some feature and crossing onto their neighbor’s property lines. Sometimes the encroachment is intentional. Structural encroachment, for instance, occurs when a neighbor deliberately builds property on land they do not own.

What is an easement appurtenant?

The appurtenant easement - A valuable property right

  • Creating an Appurtenant Easement. Appurtenant easements are created in an easement agreement, deed or recorded declaration affecting large residential and commercial subdivisions.
  • Title Search. A title search should be run on the servient estate to confirm ownership and any existing mortgages.
  • Consideration. ...
  • Estoppel Certificates. ...

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What is an example of an encroachment?

Here are some encroachment examples to watch out for: Your neighbor builds a fence, and it extends onto your land. A structural addition to your neighbor's home extends beyond the legal property boundaries. An overgrown garden or hedge crosses onto your land.

What is a legally valid encroachment?

Primary tabs. An encroachment is an unauthorized intrusion onto a neighboring property through the creation or extension of a physical structure (including flora) above or below the surface of land.

What does encroachment mean?

1 : to take over the rights or property of another little by little or in secret The prince encroached on the king's authority. 2 : to go beyond the usual or proper limits Cities have encroached upon wildlife habitats. encroach. intransitive verb. en·​croach | \ in-ˈkrōch \

Why would a buyer want to know if any easements or encroachments exist on a property?

Why would a buyer want to know if any easements or encroachments exist on a property? Both easements and encroachments affect the property's lot size, enjoyment, and use, which can affect a property's value.

How do you prove encroachment of property?

Documents such as title deed, mutation, revenue records, copy of the will, electricity bills, telephone bills, water bills and original purchase agreement of the property are crucial to prove your legal possession.

What is the procedure to remove encroachment?

How to Deal with Land Encroachment Legally?Permanent or Temporary Injunction. Injunction against Illegal Land Encroachment. ... Ex-parte Injunction. The justice system in India allows both parties equal opportunity to be heard and put their point across. ... Claim Damages.

What are the types of encroachment?

Discussed below are the different forms of encroachment:Minor encroachment. It refers to a situation that can be solved by a simple conversation or negotiation. ... Major encroachment. ... Property surveys. ... Awareness of property rights. ... Awareness of property lines. ... Talk to your neighbor. ... Negotiate compensation. ... Sell/buy the land.More items...•

Is encroachment civil or criminal?

If encroachment is in public or Government land, then it's seen as a "Civil Wrong under the principle of the Law of Torts". On the other hand, in India, if the encroachment is in anyone's private property, then the remedy is available under both Civil and Criminal laws.

What is the another word for encroachment?

Some common synonyms of encroach are infringe, invade, and trespass. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

Which would terminate an easement?

There are eight ways to terminate an easement: abandonment, merger, end of necessity, demolition, recording act, condemnation, adverse possession, and release.

Are encroachments revealed in the chain of title?

Since a chain of title does not typically reveal encroachments a title insurance policy will not provide coverage. Also, most standard title insurance policies do not insure against matters an accurate survey would show. An extended-coverage title policy usually protects against encroachments.

What do easements tell us about property?

An easement gives the dominant owner the right or rights to cross or otherwise use someone else's land. Two of the most common easement rights are a right to light and a right of way.

What are the types of encroachment?

Discussed below are the different forms of encroachment:Minor encroachment. It refers to a situation that can be solved by a simple conversation or negotiation. ... Major encroachment. ... Property surveys. ... Awareness of property rights. ... Awareness of property lines. ... Talk to your neighbor. ... Negotiate compensation. ... Sell/buy the land.More items...•

Is encroachment civil or criminal?

If encroachment is in public or Government land, then it's seen as a "Civil Wrong under the principle of the Law of Torts". On the other hand, in India, if the encroachment is in anyone's private property, then the remedy is available under both Civil and Criminal laws.

What is the encroachment of buildings Act?

An Act to make provision for the adjustment of boundaries where buildings encroach on adjoining land; to facilitate the determination of boundaries; and for purposes connected therewith. This Act may be cited as the Encroachment of Buildings Act 1922.

What is a material encroachment?

Related to Material Encroachment. Encroachment means the advance or infringement of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, structures or development into a special flood hazard area, which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain.

What is encroachment vs easement?

If you own property, you should understand encroachments and easements. When others build on land you own without obtaining your permission, that is most likely illegal, creating what's known as an encroachment. This often happens when your neighbor builds something that goes over their property line and into yours.

What is an easement on property?

An easement is the right others have to use real property belonging to you.

What happens if you sell your land?

If you sell your land, any easements on it may remain in effect unless otherwise stated, and the new owners must adhere to their terms. Real estate encroachments can be more easily eliminated, though not always. If you find an encroachment existing on your land, you should ask the encroacher to stop.

How long do easements stay on land?

Easements remain with the land until they're actively relinquished, abandoned or otherwise terminated. If you sell your land, any easements on it may remain in effect unless otherwise stated, and the new owners must adhere to their terms. Real estate encroachments can be more easily eliminated, though not always. If you find an encroachment existing on your land, you should ask the encroacher to stop. If the person encroaching on your property refuses to remove his encroachment, you may consider taking him to court.

When ordering a property survey, what does it reveal?

Ordering a property survey when purchasing a property reveals any encroachments and they can be dealt with before closing escrow. Easements will also be indicated.

Do encroachments give you ownership?

Encroachments impart no possession or ownership rights to the encroachers. For example, a shed your neighbor suddenly erects in your yard gives him no ownership right to your land. Easement holders, by contrast, gain what's called a non-possessory interest in the land to which their easements attach. But even though easements grant their holders non-possessory interests, they can't create ownership rights either. If there's an easement on your land, you still own it and are responsible for it, including paying any property taxes.

What is an easement in real estate?

An easement is a legal “right of way;” in another’s land; it gives one party the legal right to use part or all of another party’s land, generally for a specific purpose. Easements can have a significant impact on the value of a property. If, for example, a neighbor successfully makes a claim of an easement on one’s property—such as the right to use a path crossing the property in order to access the lake behind the owner’s house—that easement carries forward with the land, even after the property is sold. Thus, in the event of a sale, the owner will be forced to sell land that a third party has a right to use. This could potentially decrease or increase the value of any property substantially. At Neek Law Firm, we provide services for drafting easements, assisting in obtaining easements, or simply reviewing existing easements in order to determine their validity and scope.

What is an encroachment in property law?

Encroachments, on the other hand, involve the unlawful use of another’s property by way of constructing a building, wall, driveway, or other structure without permission. Generally speaking, a property owner can recover monetary damages for any decrease in property value due to the existence of an encroachment. However, unless the proper steps are taken in a timely fashion, a court may find that the encroaching party has been allowed to rely on the encroachment for an extended period of time and will thus allow it to stay—functionally converting the encroachment to an easement. Moreover, if a court determines that the cost of removing an encroachment is substantially greater than the harm being caused by the encroachment, it may allow the encroachment to remain. Much like an unwanted easement, this would have a profound negative effect on property value.

What is an easement agreement?

Easements are agreements which authorize the right to use someone else’s property.

What is structural encroachment?

A structural encroachment is where real property hangs from one property over the property line of another landowner’s premises. This could be a result of landscaping such as trees or bushes, or elements of construction such as stairways, fences, or signage.

What is an encroachment error?

OK, I’m kidding. But truthfully, encroachments are an error in identifying appropriate property lines or setback requirements before constructing something.

Can encroachment be replaced?

Often the encroachment can be left with the understanding that if the structure encroaching is ever removed, it cannot be replaced with the same encroachment. In extreme cases, however, this can result in demolition.

What is an easement?

What’s an easement? An easement is a legal agreement where the grantor (the landowner) gives the grantee (the neighboring landowner doing the encroaching) permission to use a portion of the land for a particular use. In such an agreement, the two parties agree to specific terms.

What are encroachments on property?

property, that person is encroaching on the other’s land. Some typical encroachments include: 1 Driveways. 2 Retaining walls. 3 Raised-bed gardens. 4 Sheds and other outbuildings. 5 Playsets. 6 Landscaping.

What is the purpose of easement?

First, the easement will state its express purpose: to allow the encroachment to exist. Next, it should answer the question of who is responsible for maintenance of the property where the encroachment is occurring. In addition, it should state how long the agreement lasts.

Is encroachment for the sake of neighbor?

In some cases, the encroachment is for the sake of the neighbor only, and your buyer will need to decide if they’re okay with it.

What are encroachments and easements?

Encroachments and easements are two common real estate issues that can affect commercial and residential property owners. If you own property, such as land and/or any buildings permanently attached to land, you have certain rights to use your land and those buildings how you please.

What are some examples of easements?

Examples of an easement include a utility company’s right to access your backyard to perform a service, or a person’s right to cross your land to access their property. If there is an encroachment on your property, consider the following:

What is it called when someone builds on your land?

In some instances, this occurrence is illegal; in other instances, the law allows others the right to use your land, which is called an easement. In this blog, we explain the difference between encroachments and easements and how to address them.

Can you remove encroachments on your property?

If this is the case, the property owner has the right to legally remove encroachments found on his or her property. The only time this isn’t possible is if an easement is in place.

What is the difference between an easement and an encroachment?

Here’s the key difference: Encroachment = unauthorized. Easement = authorized. With an easement, you don’t grant ownership of your land to another party.

What is an easement on a property?

Executing an easement giving you the right to continue using a portion of your neighbor’s property for a specific use. Executing a lot line adjustment to bring the encroachment onto your property. You may try to buy the land: Depending on what the encroachment is, it may not be simple to remove.

What is encroachment in real estate?

An encroachment refers to a situation where one property owner builds or extends something on their neighbor’s property. Often, encroachment is a problem along disputed property lines, where a person intentionally chooses to violate his neighbors’ boundaries.

What are land boundaries?

Land boundaries are simply, “What you see is what you get,” right ?

Is a fence a trespass?

For example, if your neighbor’s fence or shed is placed partially on your property, then it would be a trespass encroachment.

Can you give land to another party with easements?

With an easement, you don’t grant ownership of your land to another party.

Can you do anything about a neighbor's encroachment?

The easiest outcome would be absolutely nothing. If the encroachment is minor and your neighbor doesn’t mind that it’s occurring, then you may not need to do anything about it at all.

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