[WSBARP] Granting Easement over Neighbors' properties

[Eric Nelsen]

I think I get it. I would say that the North parcel is not benefitted by an easement over the East parcel, and therefore the owner of East parcel must grant an easement.

Even if North parcel and West parcel are owned by the same person, and West is benefitted by an easement over East, I don't think that allows North to use the easement (by moving onto West, and from there onto East). So long as both North and West are owned by the same person, there's probably no way to bar use of the easement because West has a right to use the easement and the person just "switches hats" from "owner of North parcel" to "owner of West parcel" for purposes of crossing the East parcel.

There still might be a cause of action for use of the easement outside its proper scope, if there is traffic specifically to and from the North parcel that overburdens the East parcel beyond the scope of the intended easement benefiting the West parcel.

All of the above only pertains so long as North and West are owned by the same person. As soon as North is owned by someone who has no interest in the West parcel, North loses any ability to cross the East parcel.

Put another way: Owner of West parcel can't "subdivide" their easement right over East parcel and give North parcel part of the easement right. To burden East parcel for the benefit of North parcel, the owner of East parcel must convey.

I think.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen
Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
1417 31st Ave South
Seattle WA 98144-3909
206-625-0092
eric at sayrelawoffices.com<mailto:eric at sayrelawoffices.com>

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From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Jeff Davis
Sent: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 10:10 AM
To: 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBARP] Granting Easement over Neighbors' properties

Listmates:

Years ago a common grantor/seller sold an adjoining parcel reserving an easement for ingress/egress for himself, allowing him to go out the west side, and granting an easement, for ingress/egress, to the buyer that goes over seller's property which allows access from the east side.  The east side access is not developed.

Buyer's property has been sold several times.  The current owner purchased adjacent property to the north which he wants to develop into separate home sites.  That north property has its own easement, located on that property, allowing access from the west.  Buyer, however, does not want to develop that access route but grant easements over his property and the other property to the east.  He will retain ownership of the property originally granted the easement to the east.

I never thought you could burden another's property with an additional easement, when you are not selling your property.  Sure, he can grant an easement over his property, but don't the other property owners to the east also have to grant new easements?

Your insight would be helpful.

Jeff

W. Jeff Davis, Esq.
BELL & DAVIS PLLC
P.O. Box 510
Sequim WA 98382
Phone No.:(360) 683.1129
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