What type of easement exists between two parcels of land for the benefit of one?

Easements can be complex, and understanding the different types is essential for anyone involved in real estate. An easement appurtenant is a specific type of easement that benefits a particular parcel of land, known as the dominant estate, while imposing a burden on another parcel, known as the servient estate. This relationship is foundational because the easement travels with the land, meaning that when the dominant estate is sold or transferred, the easement rights remain intact.

In this context, the easement appurtenant provides a right of use for the dominant estate that is tied directly to the property, rather than being tied to a specific individual or entity. This function illustrates the fundamental purpose of easements in facilitating access or usage rights between two parcels, promoting their utility and value for the owner of the dominant estate.

In contrast, other options such as easement in gross, which benefits an individual rather than a parcel of land, or easement by prescription, which arises from continuous and open use without permission over a statutory period, do not create the same parcel-linked relationship established by an easement appurtenant. Thus, it is the easement appurtenant that distinctly exists between two parcels of land for the benefit of one.