Unlocking the Mysteries of Adverse Use in Property Law
Adverse use describes the process by which a person can illegitimately obtain the title to a property without the consent or permission of the property owner. Commonly, individuals obtain such title through adverse possession.
Adverse use might occur, for example, if a person starts using a portion of a property adjacent to their own. In more extreme scenarios, think of a squatter who occupies an abandoned home for an extended period. Such situations predominantly affect properties that have been under the same ownership for extended periods.
The concept of adverse use holds significant implications for adverse possession law. Under certain conditions, someone involved in openly adverse use of a property can lay limited claim to it. It’s important to note that these circumstances are exceptional. In general, adverse use is illegal, and property owners can usually address the situation through legal action.
Related Terms: easement, trespassing, squatting, property dispute.
