Servient tenement meaning

A servient tenement is a property that is burdened by an easement in favor of another property.


Servient tenement definitions

Word backwards tneivres tnemenet
Part of speech The part of speech of the term "servient tenement" is a noun.
Syllabic division ser-vi-ent ten-e-ment
Plural The plural of servient tenement is servient tenements.
Total letters 16
Vogais (2) e,i
Consonants (6) s,r,v,n,t,m

When it comes to property law, understanding the concept of a servient tenement is essential. A servient tenement refers to a piece of land that is burdened by an easement in favor of another property, known as the dominant estate. This means that the owner of the servient tenement must allow the owner of the dominant estate to use the land in a specific way.

Definition of Servient Tenement

A servient tenement is essentially a property that is subject to an easement. An easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose. For example, if a landowner grants an easement to a neighbor to use their land as a right of way, the landowner's property becomes the servient tenement.

Responsibilities of the Owner

The owner of the servient tenement has certain responsibilities when it comes to the easement. They must allow the owner of the dominant estate to use the land in the manner specified in the easement agreement. This could include allowing the neighbor to pass through their land to access their property or allowing utility companies to access their land to maintain utility lines.

Limitations on the Servient Tenement

While the owner of the servient tenement must allow the owner of the dominant estate to use the land in a certain way, there are limitations to this use. The owner of the servient tenement cannot unreasonably interfere with the rights of the owner of the dominant estate. If there are any disputes regarding the easement, they must be resolved according to property law.

In conclusion, a servient tenement plays a crucial role in property law by defining the responsibilities of the owner in relation to an easement. Understanding the concept of a servient tenement is essential for both landowners and legal professionals involved in property transactions.


Servient tenement Examples

  1. The owner of the servient tenement must allow access to the neighboring property.
  2. The easement granted permits the dominant owner to use part of the servient tenement for parking.
  3. A shared driveway serves as the servient tenement for two adjacent properties.
  4. The fence separating the properties is built on the servient tenement.
  5. An underground utility line runs through the servient tenement to provide services to multiple homes.
  6. The owner of the servient tenement is responsible for maintaining a shared retaining wall.
  7. A right of way easement allows the dominant owner to cross the servient tenement to access a lake.
  8. The servient tenement owner cannot obstruct the easement holder's access to their property.
  9. A historical covenant restricts the development of the servient tenement.
  10. The servient tenement owner must ensure that no structures encroach on the easement area.


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  • Updated 05/05/2024 - 05:39:10