What defines an easement appurtenant?

An easement appurtenant is defined by its connection to a dominant tenement, which refers to the property that benefits from the easement. This means that the easement grants a specific use of the servient tenement, which is the property burdened by the easement. The key characteristic of an easement appurtenant is that it is tied directly to the land itself, rather than to a person, and it is transferred with the property when ownership changes.

In contrast, options that indicate a restriction on the use of property or limitations to temporary or commercial purposes do not accurately describe the nature of an easement appurtenant. Such easements specifically benefit the dominant tenement by allowing a use that would not otherwise be permissible. Therefore, the defining aspect of an easement appurtenant is its intrinsic connection to the dominant property, which allows for continuity of rights as ownership changes.