What is an easement?

An “easement”is a type of encumbrance identified on the copy of title that gives rights to other parties to use the land or provide for services or access on, under or above the surface of the land.

Common examples include easements for utilities or services such as electricity, water, drainage or sewerage, and allow the providers of these services to enter the land identified by the easement, to maintain or repair these services

Another common type of easement is for the “right of carriageway, such as a road, driveway or track that enables someone to pass through a property.

It is important to identify easements before developing your land because any development that interferes with the rights of the other party to use the land may, for instance, be removed without compensation.