Property law doesn’t stop at your own four walls. Easement rights allow someone to use another person’s land in a limited way for a specific purpose — common examples include a right of way, right to light, or right to draw water.
For instance, your house might only be reachable by a small lane crossing your neighbour’s land. Over time, law may recognise a right of way, preventing the neighbour from suddenly blocking it and cutting off your access. Similarly, windows that have long received light through an open space may gain certain protections against complete obstruction.
Easements can arise by express grant, by long and uninterrupted use, or by necessity. They are not full ownership rights; they are carefully defined and usually restricted to what is reasonably required for enjoyment of the dominant property.
Disputes over easements are common in crowded or old neighbourhoods. Courts look at historical use, documents, maps and sometimes local customs to decide whether a right exists and how far it extends.
Good boundary planning and clear documentation during property transactions can prevent many such conflicts.