Easement in Gross: Definition

An easement is a parcel of land that a non-owner, such as a government, can use without owning. On the other hand, an easement in gross means the right person may legally access land that belongs to someone else until the legal owner holds the property or lives on the property. Then, the easement is invalid. Owning the property entitles an individual owner to allow others to use it how they wish. An easement in gross contract is limited to only one property.

Easements grant certain rights and privileges to people other than the land’s owner. Water and electric companies, for example, may use easements to gain access to cables and piping to support their services. As a result, the property owner will have limited actions to take regarding the property included in the easement.

An easement might prevent a property owner from building certain structures on land included in the agreement; for example, an easement may allow a utility company to run necessary cabling. Swimming pools, driveways, and other permanent structures that interfere with the company’s ability to access the property can also be restricted.

Any right associated with an easement cannot transfer to another individual who benefits from the easement in gross. An easement in gross is void when the landowner sells, wills, or transfers the property to another person. Any rights associated with the easement are not transferable. By establishing a non-transferable characteristic of the contract, the property’s value doesn’t depreciate.

Attempts by the new owner to obtain an easement are possible, but there is no guarantee that the right will be granted. This is because the easement in gross agreement deals with the individuals rather than the property or land, therefore it does not affect the property.

Persons permitted to use the property do not have to live near it or own it to get the related rights. Gross contract easements can have broad or specific permissions, as desired. When it comes to the restrictions outlined in an easement in a gross agreement, the property owner typically has the most control.

An easement in gross confers a limited right to use another’s real property. You can better understand your easement rights by speaking with an easement attorney.

Homeowners may have easements in gross with their neighbors, allowing them to use a path or laneway through their neighbor’s property to reach their properties. If a homeowner sells the property, the easement rights cannot be automatically transferred to the new owner.

An easement in gross, for instance, can allow the owner’s friend to fish on the owner’s pond until either the friend dies or the owner sells the real estate. 

The most common types of easements in the United States are those granted to utility companies. Utility easements allow a company to provide utility services to parts of a property or to maintain the equipment that supplies those services.

A utility company may establish a gross easement to lay pipes over a property. The non-possessional right enables a utility company, for example, to operate and maintain lines or pipes. This includes cable television, natural gas, electric, and telephone services to install and maintain equipment for the homeowner’s and the neighborhood’s benefit.

Easements for pipelines are also regarded as common easements in gross. These easements allow entities such as pipeline service companies access to buried sewer or water pipes and to service or renovate them. 

Land conservation easements are also common easements in gross. A conservation easement prevents an owner from taking actions that will adversely affect the land’s conservation, like removing minerals or cutting down trees.

The easement in gross benefits a company or individual rather than a parcel of land. So, public utilities usually use these types of easements.

Since they do not represent ownership rights, neither the land owner nor the easement owner need to record these easements in gross with any agency. An easement may be implied, which means the easement is necessary for the use and enjoyment of the property. Despite not being necessary to record the easement, each party should document the easement for the sake of safeguarding both parties. They can also opt for an oil and gas lease form that enables them to lease a piece of property to produce and distribute land sources. 

As long as the easement holder doesn’t cause unreasonable trouble to the property owner, they can use the easement in gross agreement to enjoy the benefits the contract grants. In contrast, the owner of the land or property can use that land or property without interfering with the easement holder’s use of the rights.

When the court determines that an easement holder has imposed an unacceptable burden on the property due to the extent of the easement’s use, the property owner may resort to legal remedies. A court can order an easement holder to limit their access to the property, pay damages if the easement holder damages the property, or terminate the easement in gross agreement.

A court will often order the removal of an obstacle in an easement if property owners interfere with the easement holder’s rights. Easement holders may also receive compensation from the courts.