Which of the following best defines an easement appurtenant?

An easement appurtenant is best defined as an easement that benefits a specific piece of land rather than an individual. This type of easement typically involves two parcels of land: the dominant tenement, which benefits from the easement, and the servient tenement, which bears the burden of the easement. For example, if one property owner has the right to cross another property to access a public road, that right is an easement appurtenant to the dominant tenement.

This definition highlights the intrinsic link between the easement and the land rather than the individual owner, as the easement is tied to the land itself and transfers with the property when it is sold or otherwise conveyed. Understanding easements appurtenant is crucial for real estate practice as it impacts property rights and usage.

The other choices address different aspects of easements but do not encompass the specific definition of an easement appurtenant. An easement for public use would typically refer to a different category, while adverse possession relates to obtaining certain rights over land through continuous and open use, not an easement. Lastly, easements created solely for commercial purposes do not capture the fundamental nature of an easement appurtenant, which can apply to both