What does an easement generally provide for land use?

An easement generally provides shared access and usage rights, allowing one party the right to use a portion of another party's property for a specific purpose. This can include pathways, access to utilities, or rights of way. The key aspect of an easement is that it does not transfer ownership of the land itself; rather, it grants limited rights for use, which can benefit both the property owner and the easement holder.

The concept of shared access encapsulates the very nature of easements, which might allow, for example, a neighbor to cross over a section of property to reach a main road or to install necessary utilities. Unlike exclusive ownership rights, which would confer full control, easements are designed to coexist with the rights of the property owner, thereby creating a balance between the needs of both parties involved.