Services for Business
Easements and Rights over Property
Clear advice on property rights and access
Easements are rights over land owned by someone else, such as rights of way, drainage, or access to services. They can have a significant impact on how property is used, developed, or sold.
At Paytons Solicitors, we provide practical, straightforward advice on easements and property rights, helping you understand your position and avoid disputes.
What is an easement?
An easement is a legal right benefiting one property over another.
Common examples include:
Rights of way (pedestrian or vehicular access)
Rights for services such as water, drainage, or electricity
Rights of light
Rights of access for maintenance or repairs
These rights can be complex and long-lasting, so it is important to ensure they are properly documented and understood.
How we can help
We advise property owners, developers, landowners, and businesses on all aspects of easements, including:
Drafting and negotiating easements
Advising on existing rights and obligations
Resolving disputes over access or use
Creating new rights for development or land use
Interpreting historic deeds and title documents
Our aim is to provide clear, practical solutions tailored to your situation.
Rights of way
Access rights are among the most common types of easements and are often a source of dispute.
We can assist with:
Establishing whether a right of way exists
Defining the extent of a right (eg pedestrian, vehicles, commercial use)
Resolving disagreements with neighbours
Formalising new access arrangements
We help ensure rights are clearly defined to avoid future issues.
Easements for development
When developing land, it is often necessary to secure new rights or deal with existing ones.
We advise on:
Creating rights for access, drainage and utilities
Negotiating agreements with neighbouring landowners
Ensuring developments have the necessary legal rights in place
Addressing potential restrictions or limitations
Early advice can prevent costly delays or complications later.
Property transactions
Easements play an important role in buying and selling property.
We can:
Review title documents to identify existing rights
Explain how easements affect value and use
Raise and respond to enquiries during transactions
Ensure any new rights are properly documented
We make sure there are no surprises when you buy or sell.
Disputes and issues
Unclear or disputed easements can lead to tension between neighbours or affect property use.
We help resolve issues such as:
Disputes over access or boundaries
Alleged obstruction of rights
Unclear or informal arrangements
Use beyond what is permitted
Where possible, we aim to resolve matters quickly and cost-effectively.
Why legal advice matters
Easements can affect property value, development potential, and day-to-day use. Poorly defined rights can lead to ongoing disputes or unexpected restrictions.
Getting advice early can:
Clarify your rights and obligations
Prevent disputes before they arise
Protect your property’s value
Ensure arrangements are legally enforceable
Our fees
Hourly rates:
| Solicitors/Legal Executives/TEPs with over eight years’ experience/Heads of Department | £280/hour |
| Solicitors/Legal Executives/TEPs with over four years’ experience | £240/hour |
| Other Solicitors/Legal Executives and Fee Earners of equivalent experience | £200/hour |
| Trainee Solicitors/Paralegals | £142/hour |
All of the above prices are subject to VAT @ 20%.
"Thanks ever so much for the time and incredible advice given earlier this week. Was a pleasure meeting you and you really helped me understand the next steps I need to take."
Granting of Options Over Property Team
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