There are two adjoining properties. An easement allows property A to use the access road that belongs to property B. In this situation, property A is said to be which of the following in relation to property B?

There are two adjoining properties. An easement allows property A to use the access road that belongs to property B. In this situation, property A is said to be which of the following in relation to property B?

• A. Subservient estate
• B. Servient estate
• C. Senior tenant
• D. Dominant tenement

Answer: (D)

In an easement appurtenant, one parcel benefits from the right to use another parcel, while the other parcel bears the burden. Here, Property A has the right to use an access road on Property B’s land, so Property A is the beneficiary of the easement. That makes Property A the dominant tenement, and Property B—the land burdened by the easement—the servient estate. The term “dominant tenement” specifically describes the property that benefits, which is why it fits this scenario. The alternative terms don’t apply: the burdened parcel is the servient estate, not subservient, and “senior/tenant” isn’t used in this context.

In an easement appurtenant, one parcel benefits from the right to use another parcel, while the other parcel bears the burden. Here, Property A has the right to use an access road on Property B’s land, so Property A is the beneficiary of the easement. That makes Property A the dominant tenement, and Property B—the land burdened by the easement—the servient estate. The term “dominant tenement” specifically describes the property that benefits, which is why it fits this scenario. The alternative terms don’t apply: the burdened parcel is the servient estate, not subservient, and “senior/tenant” isn’t used in this context.