What is the term for the right to use the land of another for a specific purpose?

The term that defines the right to use the land of another for a specific purpose is an easement. An easement grants an individual or entity the authority to access or utilize someone else's property for a designated function, which can include things like laying utility lines, accessing a roadway, or even allowing for a right of way. This use is typically defined in a legal agreement and is usually permanent or semi-permanent in nature, meaning it continues even if the ownership of the land changes.

This is distinct from other concepts such as a license, which is a temporary permission to use the land that can be revoked at any time, or leaseholds, which provide a tenant with the right to occupy and use the land for a specified period but do not inherently confer the same type of rights associated with an easement. An encumbrance refers to a claim or liability attached to the property that may affect its value but does not actually confer the right to use the property itself in the manner that an easement does.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how property rights and responsibilities are managed in real estate and land use contexts.