Certified Residential Appraiser Practice Exam

Which easement grants the right to perform a specific act on property owned by another?

1. Negative easement

2. Affirmative easement

3. Easement appurtenant

4. Partial interest

The correct answer is: Affirmative easement

An affirmative easement grants the holder the right to perform a specific act on the property owned by another. This type of easement allows the holder to use the land in some manner that benefits them, such as accessing a road or utility lines. For example, if someone has an affirmative easement to cross their neighbor's property to reach their own, this grants them legal access for that specific purpose. In contrast, a negative easement restricts the property owner from performing certain actions that could adversely affect the holder's rights, such as obstructing a view or blocking sunlight. An easement appurtenant is typically associated with benefits that enhance the value of a property in relation to another property, allowing the owner of one parcel to benefit from a right concerning a neighboring parcel. Partial interest refers to an ownership stake in a property but does not specifically relate to the act of using another's property.