How is land affected by an easement described?

An easement is a legal right to use someone else's land for a specific purpose. When land is affected by an easement, it is considered encumbered, meaning that the property is burdened by the presence of that easement. This encumbrance does not necessarily limit ownership but does impose certain restrictions or obligations on the property owner regarding how the land may be used.

For instance, if a property has a utility easement, the property owner cannot build structures in that area because it is reserved for the utility company's access. As a result, the property owner must comply with the easement terms, which indicates that the land is encumbered by this legal right. This distinction is important in real estate, as it influences both the property's value and the owner's rights.

In contrast, options describing the land as vacant or unencumbered do not accurately reflect the legal implications of an easement. Vacant land implies that there are no structures but does not consider easements that might still exist. Unencumbered would suggest there are no burdens or claims against the land, which directly contradicts the existence of an easement. Government land is unrelated to the specific context of easements affecting private properties.