What constitutes a Servient Estate?

A servient estate refers specifically to a parcel of land that is subject to an easement, meaning that it allows another party the right to use a portion of that land for a specific purpose. This definition is rooted in property law, where the servient estate is contrasted with the dominant estate, which is the parcel of land that benefits from the easement.

In this context, when an easement is granted, the land that must accommodate the easement holder's rights is termed the servient estate. For example, if a neighboring property owner has a right to cross a portion of your property to access a public road, your property is the servient estate because it must endure the easement in favor of the neighboring property.

Understanding this concept is important because it clarifies the relationships and responsibilities between landowners when easements are involved, thereby reinforcing principles of property rights and land use.