Texas Real Estate State Practice Exam

What is the term for the limited use or enjoyment of another's land, whether written, verbal, or implied?

1. Easement in Gross

2. Adverse Possession (Squatter's rights)

3. License

4. Easement

The correct answer is: Easement

The term that describes the limited use or enjoyment of another’s land is an easement. An easement grants one party the right to use a specific portion of another party's property for a designated purpose, such as access to a road or utilities, while the property ownership remains unchanged. Easements can be established through written agreements, verbal permissions, or even implied rights based on long-standing usage. Easements are typically categorized into two main types: easements appurtenant, which benefit a particular piece of land, and easements in gross, which benefit an individual or entity regardless of land ownership. However, the general definition often encompasses any granted usage of land, making "easement" the broader term that captures this concept effectively. In contrast, a license refers to a more temporary and revocable permission to use someone else’s property, which usually does not transfer with land ownership. Adverse possession involves taking ownership of land through continuous and open use over a specified period, ultimately leading to legal ownership rights. Therefore, understanding the proper definitions and uses helps to clarify why easement is the most suitable answer to the question presented.