Who benefits from an easement?

An easement is a legal right that allows one party to use another party's property for a specific purpose. In this context, the dominant tenant is the party that holds the easement, granting them the right to use a portion of the subservient tenement's land. The dominant tenant benefits directly from the easement because it allows them access, use, or other privileges regarding the property in question that they would not otherwise have.

For example, if a homeowner has an easement to use a pathway across their neighbor's yard, the homeowner (dominant tenant) can traverse that path, while the neighbor owns the property over which the easement runs but has to permit the use as established by the easement agreement. This arrangement illustrates how the dominant tenant gains a meaningful benefit from the legal right afforded to them, facilitating their enjoyment or utility of their own property.

In contrast, the subservient tenement, while still owning the land, has to endure the impact of the easement and is generally limited in how they can use that portion of their property. Thus, the easement primarily serves the interests of the dominant tenant, making them the primary beneficiary of such arrangements. The other options, such as the property seller or the government