ProfDale Property Video 36 - Easement Scope and Termination

[@donmulder8061]

We lived in a neighborhood where we each had a telecommunications, gas, water and electric easement running along the road in our front yards. Our next door neighbor kept coming into our front yard like he owned the place. Finally I asked him about it and he said, "we have an easement." I said "on my front yard?" He said "yes, we have the utility easement that runs from my yard into your yard which gives me unlimited access to your yard." He was sincere and firm in his belief that the utility easements that crossed our plats tied our lands together into some sort of community land but somehow it made his land dominant over mine which he could never quite explain. I challenged him and told him he was wrong. Being about 15 years older than him I was able to use the old guy card but he even had me doubting myself on that one.

[@fredmertzful]

Of course he was wrong. A utility easement gives the utility companies (gas, water, electric, etc.) access to your yard, but only for the purpose of installing and maintaining their lines and pipes. It gives your neighbor the right to receive the services of those companies, but no right at all to physically enter on your property.

[@KC-ex7pr]

Prof. Dale - thank you for these videos, they helped me immensely during 1L and now are coming in handy during bar prep. I hope you are having a wonderful summer, wherever you may be!