Which term describes the land that benefits from an easement appurtenant?

Which term describes the land that benefits from an easement appurtenant?

• A. Servient estate
• B. Dominant estate
• C. Easement in gross
• D. License

Answer: (B)

In an easement appurtenant, there are two parcels involved: the land that benefits from the easement and the land that bears its burden. The right runs with the benefiting parcel, so the land that benefits is called the dominant estate. The other parcel, which must endure the easement’s use, is the servient estate. This setup—dominant estate benefiting from the easement and servient estate bearing the burden—is what distinguishes an easement appurtenant from other types. An easement in gross would benefit a person or entity rather than a parcel of land, so there’s no dominant estate here, and a license is merely a personal permission that doesn’t attach to land.

In an easement appurtenant, there are two parcels involved: the land that benefits from the easement and the land that bears its burden. The right runs with the benefiting parcel, so the land that benefits is called the dominant estate. The other parcel, which must endure the easement’s use, is the servient estate. This setup—dominant estate benefiting from the easement and servient estate bearing the burden—is what distinguishes an easement appurtenant from other types. An easement in gross would benefit a person or entity rather than a parcel of land, so there’s no dominant estate here, and a license is merely a personal permission that doesn’t attach to land.