What is the main purpose of an easement?

The main purpose of an easement is to grant the right to use land for a limited purpose. Easements allow one party to use the land of another for specific activities, such as accessing a road or utilities, without transferring actual ownership of the property. This legal arrangement is critical in various real estate contexts, as it enables cooperation and shared use while maintaining the rights of the landowner. For instance, utility companies often hold easements to install and maintain power lines, ensuring they can access the necessary land to provide services without disrupting or changing ownership of the property.

This understanding distinguishes easements from other legal concepts such as ownership transfer, property protection, and boundary definition, which are not their primary objectives. Ownership transfer involves changing the title of the land, while protecting property from development pertains more to zoning laws or restrictions rather than easements. Defining property boundaries typically involves surveys and legal descriptions rather than the specific usage rights that easements confer.