An easement is a right to cross or otherwise use someone else's land for a specified purpose, for example, to:
- lay electricity or telephone cables
- maintain water, drainage and gas supplies
- walk or drive across the land to get access to other land
Easements can also prohibit the owner of the land from using their land in certain ways which could interfere with the rights of neighbours - for example by building tall structures which would reduce light in adjoining properties.