Which term describes a right to use land for a specific purpose, such as a right of way?

• A. Freehold estate.
• B. Leasehold.
• C. Easement.
• D. License.

Answer: (C)

An easement is a non-possessory right to use someone else’s land for a specific purpose, such as a right of way. It’s a property interest that binds future owners of the land, because the benefit runs with the dominant tenement and the burden sits on the servient tenement. A right of way is the classic example: you may cross a neighbour’s land to reach your own, without owning that land. This differs from a freehold estate (full ownership), a leasehold (tenancy for a term), or a license (permission to use land that can be revoked and does not create an enduring property right).