Easements Act, 1977

"Easement" defined.-An easement is a right which the owner or occupier of certain land possesses, as such, for the beneficial enjoyment of that land, to do and continue to do something, or to prevent and continue to prevent something being done, in or upon, or in respect of, certain other land not his own. Dominant and servient heritages and owners.-The land for the beneficial enjoyment of which the right exists is called the dominant heritage, and the owner or occupier thereof the dominant owner ; the land on which the liability is imposed is called the servient heritage, and the owner or occupier thereof the servient owner. Explanation.-In the first and second clauses of this section, the expression "land" includes also things permanently attached to the earth ; the expression "beneficial enjoyment" includes also possible convenience, remote advantage, and even a mere amenity ; and the expression "to do something" includes removal and appropriation by the dominant owner, for the beneficial enjoyment of the dominant heritage, of any part of the soil of the servient heritage or anything growing or subsisting thereon. Illustrations.

1. (a) A, as the owner of a certain house, has a right of way thither over his neighbour B's land for purposes connected with the beneficial enjoyment of the house. This is an easement.
2. (b) A, as the owner of a certain house, has the right to go on his neighbour B's land, and to take water for the purposes of his household out of a spring therein. This is an easement.
3. (c) A, as the owner of a certain house has the right to conduct water from B's stream to supply the fountains in the garden attached to the house. This is an easement.
4. (d) A, as the owner of a certain house and farm has the right to graze a certain number of his own cattle on B's field, or to take, for the purpose of being used in the house, by himself, his family, guests, lodgers and servants, water or fish out of C'S tank, or timber out of D's wood, or to use, for the purpose of manuring his land, the leaves which have fallen from the trees on E's land. These are easements.
5. (e) A dedicates to the public the right to occupy the surface of certain land for the purpose of passing and re-passing. This right is not an easement.
6. (f) A is bound to cleanse a watercourse running through his land and keep it free from obstruction for the benefit of B, a lower riparian owner.

Continuous and discontinuous, apparent and non-apparent, easements Continuous and discontinuous, apparent and non-apparent, easements.-Easements are either continuous or discontinuous, apparent or non-apparent. A continuous easement is one whose enjoyment is, or may be, continual without the act of man. A discontinuous easement is one that needs the act of man for its enjoyment. An apparent easement is one the existence of which is shown by some permanent sign which, upon careful inspection by a competent person, would be visible to him. A non-apparent easement is one that has no such sign.

1. (a) A right annexed to B's house to receive light by the windows without obstruction by his neighbour A. This is a continuous easement.
2. (b) A right of way annexed to A's house over B's land. This is a discontinuous easement.
3. (c) Rights annexed to A's land to lead water thither across B's land by an aqueduct and to draw off water thence by a drain. The drain would be discovered upon careful inspection by a person conversant with such matters. These are apparent easements.
4. (d) A right annexed to A's house to prevent B from building on his own land.

Easement for limited time or on condition Easement for limited time or on condition.-An easement may be permanent, or for a term of years or other limited period, or subject to periodical interruption, or exercisable only at a certain place, or at certain times or between certain hours, or for a particular purpose, or on condition that it shall commence or become void or voidable on the happening of a specified event or the performance or non-performance of a specified act.

Easements restrictive of certain rights. Exclusive right to enjoy.-Easements are restrictions of one or other of the following rights, namely :-

1. (a) The exclusive right of every owner of immovable property (subject to any law for the time being in force) to enjoy and dispose of the same and all products thereof and accessions thereto ;
2. (b) Right to advantages arising from situation.-The right of every owner of immovable property (subject to any law for the time being in force) to enjoy without disturbance by another the natural advantages arising from its situation. Illustrations of the rights above referred to.
3. (a) The exclusive right of every owner of land in a town to build on such land, subject to any municipal law for the time being in force.
4. (b) The right of every owner of land that the air passing thereto shall not be unreasonably polluted by other persons.
5. (c) The right of every owner of a house that his physical comfort shall not be interfered with materially and unreasonably by noise or vibration caused by any other person.
6. (d) The right of every owner of land to so much light and air as pass vertically thereto.
7. (e) The right of every owner of land that such land, in its natural condition, shall have the support naturally rendered by the subjacent and adjacent soil of another person. Explanation.-Land is in its natural condition when it is not excavated and not subjected to artificial pressure ; and the "subjacent and adjacent soils" mentioned in this illustration means such soil only as in its natural condition would support the dominant heritage in its natural condition.
8. (f) The right of every owner of land that, within his own limits, the water which naturally passes or percolates by, over or through his land shall not, before so passing or percolating, be unreasonably polluted by other persons.
9. (g) The right of every owner of land to collect and dispose within his own limits of all water under the land which does not pass in a defined channel and all water on its surface which does not pass in a defined channel.
10. (h) The right of every owner of land that the water of every natural stream which passes by, through or over his land in a defined natural channel shall be allowed by other persons to flow within such owner's limits without interruption and without material alteration in quantity, direction, force or temperature ; the right of every owner of land abutting on a natural lake or pond into or out of which a natural stream flows, that the water of such lake or pond shall be allowed by other persons to remain within such owner's limits without material alteration in quantity or temperature.
    • (i) The right of every owner of upper land that water naturally rising in, or falling, on such land and not passing in defined channels, shall be allowed by the owner of adjacent lower land to run naturally thereto.
11. (j) The right of every owner of land abutting on a natural stream, lake or pond to use and consume its water for drinking, household purposes and watering his cattle and sheep; and the right of every such owner to use and consume the water for irrigating such land, and for the purposes of any manufactory situate thereon: Provided that he does not thereby cause material injury to other like owners. Explanation.-A natural stream is a stream, whether permanent, intermittent, tidal or tideless, on the surface of land or underground, which flows by the operation of nature only and in a natural and known course.

Who may impose easements.-An easement may be imposed by any one in the circumstances, and to the extent, in and to which he may transfer his interest in the heritage on which the liability is to be imposed. Illustrations.

1. (a) A is tenant of a land under a lease for an unexpired term of twenty years, and has power to transfer his interest under the lease. A may impose an easement on the land to continue during the time that the lease exists or for any shorter period.
2. (b) A is tenant for his life of certain land with remainder to B absolutely. A cannot, unless with B's consent, impose an easement thereon which will continue after the determination of his life-interest.
3. (c) A, B and C are co-owners of certain land. A cannot, without the consent of B and C, impose an easement on the land or on part thereof.
4. (d) A and B are lessees of the same lessor, A of a field X for a term of five years, and B of a field Y for a term of ten years. A's interest under his lease is transferable; B's is not.

Servient owners Servient owners.-Subject to the provisions of section 8, a servient owner may impose on the servient heritage any easement that does not lessen the utility of the existing easement. But he cannot, without the consent of the dominant owner, impose an easement on the servient heritage which would lessen such utility. Illustrations.

1. (a) A has, in respect of his mill, a right to the uninterrupted flow thereto from sunrise to noon of the water of B's stream. B may grant to C the right to divert the water of the stream from noon to sunset : Provided that A's supply is not thereby diminished.
2. (b) A has, in respect of his house, a right of way over B's land.

Lessor and mortgagor Lessor and mortgagor.-Subject to the provisions of section 8, a lessor may impose, on the property leased, any easement that does not derogate from the rights of the lessee as such, and a mortgagor may impose, on the property mortgaged, any easement that does not render the security insufficient. But a lessor or mortgagor cannot, without the consent of the lessee or mortgagee, impose any other easement on such property, unless it be to take effect on the termination of the lease or the redemption of the mortgage. Explanation.-A security is insufficient within the meaning of this section unless the value of the mortgaged property exceeds by one-third, or, if consisting of buildings, exceeds by one-half, the amount for the time being due on the mortgage.

Lessee.-No lessee or other person having a derivative interest may impose on the property held by him as such an easement to take effect after the expiration of his own interest. or in derogation of the right of the lessor or the superior proprietor.

Who may acquire easements.-An easement may be acquired by the owner of the immovable property for the beneficial enjoyment of which the right is created, or on his behalf, by any person in possession of the same.

Easements of necessity and quasi-easements Easements of necessity and quasi-easements.-Where one person transfers or bequeaths immovable property to another,-

1. (a) if an easement in other immovable property of the transferor or testator is necessary for enjoying the subject of the transfer or bequest, the transferee or legatee shall be entitled to such easement; or
2. (b) if such an easement is apparent and continuous and necessary for enjoying the said subject as it was enjoyed when the transfer or bequest took effect, the transferee or legatee shall, unless a different intention is expressed or necessarily implied, be entitled to such easement;
3. (c) if an easement in the subject of the transfer or bequest is necessary for enjoying other immovable property of the transferor or testator, the transferor or the legal representative of the testator shall be entitled to such easement; or
4. (d) if such an easement is apparent and continuous and necessary for enjoying the said property as it was enjoyed when the transfer or bequest took effect, the transferor, or the legal representative of the testator, shall, unless a different intention is expressed or necessarily implied, be entitled to such easement. Where a partition is made of the joint property of several persons,-
5. (e) if an easement over the share of one of them is necessary for enjoying the share of another of them, the latter shall be entitled to such easement, or
6. (f) if such an easement is apparent and continuous and necessary for enjoying the share of the latter as it was enjoyed when the partition took effect, he shall, unless a different intention is expressed or necessarily implied, be entitled to such easement. The easements mentioned in this section, clauses (a),
7. (c) and (e), are called easements of necessity. Where immovable property passes by operation of law, the persons from and to whom it so passes are, for the purpose of this section, to be deemed, respectively, the transferor and transferee. Illustrations.
8. (a) A sells B a field then used for agricultural purposes only. It is inaccessible except by passing over A's adjoining land or by trespassing on the land of a stranger. B is entitled to a right of way, for agricultural purposes only, over A's adjoining land to the field sold.
9. (b) A, the owner of two fields, sells one to B, and retains the other. The field retained was, at the date of the sale, used for agricultural purposes only, and is inaccessible except by passing over the field sold to B. A is entitled to a right of way, for agricultural purposes only, over B's field to the field retained.
10. (c) A sells B a house with windows overlooking A's land, which A retains. The light which passes over A's land to the windows is necessary for enjoying the house as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect. B is entitled to the light, and A cannot afterwards obstruct it by building on his land.
11. (d) A sells B a house with windows overlooking A's land. The light passing over A's land to the windows is necessary for enjoying the house as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect. Afterwards A sells the land to C. Here C cannot obstruct the light by building on the land, for he takes it subject to the burdens to which it was subject in A's hands.
12. (e) A is the owner of a house and adjoining land. The house has windows overlooking the land. A simultaneously sells the house to B and the land to C. The light passing over the land is necessary for enjoying the house as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect. Here A impliedly grants B a right to the light, and C takes the land subject to the restriction that he may not build so as to obstruct such light.
13. (f) A is the owner of a house and adjoining land. The house has windows overlooking the land. A retaining the house, sells the land to B, without expressly reserving any easement. The light passing over the land is necessary for enjoying the house as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect. A is entitled to the light, and B cannot build on the land so as to obstruct such light.
14. (g) A, the owner of a house, sells B a factory built on adjoining land, B is entitled, as against A, to pollute the air, when necessary, with smoke and vapours from the factory.
15. (h) A, the owner of two adjoining houses, Y and Z, sells Y to B, and retains Z. B is entitled to the benefit of all the gutters and drains common to the two houses and necessary for enjoying Y as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect, and A is entitled to the benefit of all the gutters and drains common to the two houses and necessary for enjoying Z as it was enjoyed when the sale took effect.
    • (i) A, the owner of two adjoining buildings, sells one to B retaining the other. B is entitled to a right to lateral support from A's building, and A is entitled to a right to lateral support from B's building.
16. (j) A, the owner of two adjoining buildings, sells one to B and the other to C. C is entitled to lateral support from B's building, and B is entitled to lateral support from C's building.
17. (k) A grants lands to B for the purpose of building a house thereon, B is entitled to such amount of lateral and subjacent support from A's land as is necessary for the safety of the house.
18. (l) Under the Land Acquisition Act, a Railway Company compulsorily acquires a portion of B's land for the purpose of making a siding. The Company is entitled to such amount of lateral support from B's adjoining land as is essential for the safety of the siding.
19. (m) Owing to the partition of joint property, A becomes the owner of an upper room in a building, and B becomes the owner of the portion of the building immediately beneath it. A is entitled to such amount of vertical support from B's portion as is essential for the safety of the upper room.
20. (n) A lets a house and grounds to B for a particular business. B has no access to them other than by crossing A's land.

Direction of way of necessity Direction of way of necessity.-When a right to a way of necessity is created under section 13, the transferor, the legal representative of the testator, or the owner of the share over which the right is exercised, as the case may be, is entitled to set out the way ; but it must be reasonably convenient for the dominant owner.

Acquisition by prescription Acquisition by prescription.-Where the access and use of light or air to and for any building have been peaceably enjoyed therewith, as an easement, without interruption, and for twenty years, and where support from one person's land or things affixed thereto has been peaceably received by another person's land subjected to artificial pressure or by things affixed thereto as an easement, without interruption, and for twenty years, and where a right of way or any other easement has been peaceably and openly enjoyed by any person claiming title thereto as an easement, and as of right, without interruption, and for twenty years, the right to such access and use of light or air, support or other easement shall be absolute. Each of the said periods of twenty years shall be taken to be a period ending within two years next before the institution of the suit wherein the claim to which such period relates is contested. Explanation I.-Nothing is an enjoyment within the meaning of this section when it has been had in pursuance of an agreement with the owner or occupier of the property over which the right is claimed, and it is apparent from the agreement that such right has not been granted as an easement, or, if granted as an easement, that it has been granted for a limited period, or subject to a condition on the fulfilment of which it is to cease. Explanation II.-Nothing is an interruption within the meaning of this section unless where there is an actual cessation of the enjoyment by reason of an obstruction by the act of some person other than the claimant, and unless such obstruction is submitted to or acquired in for one year after the claimant has notice thereof and of the person making or authorising the same to be made. Explanation III.-Suspension of enjoyment in pursuance of a contract between the dominant and servient owners is not an interruption within the meaning of this section. Explanation IV.-In the case of an easement to pollute water, the said period of twenty years begins when the pollution first prejudices perceptibly the servient heritage. When the property over which a right is claimed under this section belongs to Government, this section shall be read as if, for the words "twenty years" the words "sixty years" were substituted.

1. (a) A suit is brought in 1883 for obstructing a right of way. The defendant admits the obstruction, but denies the right of way. The plaintiff proves that the right was peaceably and openly enjoyed by him, claiming title thereto as an easement and as of right without interruption, from 1st January, 1862, to 1st January, 1882. The plaintiff is entitled to judgment.
2. (b) In a like suit the plaintiff shows that the right was peaceably and openly enjoyed by him for twenty years. The defendant proves that for a year of that time the plaintiff was entitled to possession of the servient heritage as lessee thereof and enjoyed the right as such lessee. The suit shall be dismissed, for the right of way has not been enjoyed "as an easement" for twenty years.
3. (c) In a like suit the plaintiff shows that the right was peaceably and openly enjoyed by him for twenty years. The defendant proves that the plaintiff on one occasion during the twenty years had admitted that the user was not of right and asked his leave to enjoy the right.

Exclusion in favour of reversioner of servient heritage Exclusion in favour of reversioner of servient heritage - Provided that, when any land upon, over or from which any easement has been enjoyed or derived has been held under or by virtue of any interest for life or any term of years exceeding three years from the granting thereof, the time of the ajoymcni of such easement during the continuance of such interest or term shall be excIuded in the computation of the said last-mentioned period of twenty years, in case the claim is, within three years next after the determination of such interest or term, redsted by the person entitled, on such determination, to the said land.

Rights which cannot be acquired by prescripti~a.-Easements acquired under section 15 are said to be acquired by prescription, and are called prescriptive rights. None of the folbom~ing rights can be so acquired :--

1. (a) a right which would tend to the total destruction of the subject of the right, or the property on which, if the acquisition were made, liability would be imposed ;
2. (b) a right to the free passage of light or air to an open space of ground ;
3. (c) a right to surface water not flowing in a stream and not permanently collected in a pool, tank or oherwise ;
4. (d) a right to underground water not passing in a defined channel.

Customary easements.-An easement may be acquired in virtue of a local custom.

Transfer of dominant heritage passes easement Tr~usfer of dominant heritage pa 6 ses easement.--Where the dominant heritage is transferred or devolves, by act of parties or by operation of law, the transfer or devolution shall, unless a contrary intention appears, be deemed to pass the easement to the person in whose favour the transfer or devolution takes place.

Rules controlled by contract or title.-The rules contained in this Chapter are controlled by any contract between the dominant and servient owners relating to the servient heritage, and by the provisions of the instrument or decree, if any, by which the easement referred to was imposed. Incidents sf customary easements.-And when any incident of any customary easement is inconsistent with such rules, nothing in this Chapter shall affect such incident.

Bar to use unconnected with enjoyment.-An easement must not be used for any purpose not connected with the enjoyment of the doininant heritage.

Exercise of easement. Confinement of exercise of cue-merit.-The dominant owner must exercise his right in the mode which is least onerous to the servient owner ; and, when the exercise of an easement can, without detriment to the dominant owner, be confined to a determinate part of the servient heritage, such exercise shall, at the request of the servient owner, be so confined.

Right to alter mode of enjoyment.-Subject to thi provisions of section 22, the dominant owner may, from time to time, alter the mode and p1,rce of enjoying the easement, provided that he does not thereby impose any additional burden on the servier~t heritage. Exception.-The dominant owner of a right of way cannot vary his line of passage at pleasure, even though he does not thereby impose any additional burden on the servient hexitage.

Right to do acts to secure enjoyment.-The dominant owner is entitled, as against, the servient owner, to do all acts necessary to secure the full enjoyment of the easement ; but such acts must be done at such time and in such manner as, without detriment to the dominant owner, to cause the semient owner as little inconvenience as possible; and the dominant owner must repair, as far as practicable, the damage (if any) caused by the act to the servient heritage. Accessory rights.--Rights to do acts necessary to secure the full enjoyment of an easement are called accessory rights.

Liability for expenses necessary for preservation of easement.-The expenses incurred in constructing works, or making repairs, or doing any other act necessary for the use or preservation of an easement, must be defrayed by the dominant owner.

Liability for damage from want of repair.-Where an easement is enjoyed by means of an artificial work, the dominant owner is liable to make compensation for any damage to the servient heritage arising from the want of repair of such work.

Servient owner not bound to do anything.--The servient owner is not bomd to do anything for the benefit of the dominant heritage, and he is entitled, as against the dominant owner, to use the servient heritage in any way consistent with the enjoyment of the e,: fcment, but he must not do any act tending to restrict the ease1nerm.t or to render its exercise less convenient.

Extent of easements.--With respect to the extent of easements and the mode of their enjoyment, the following provisions shall take effect :-

Easement of necessity.--An easement of necessity is co-extensive with the necessity as it existed when the easement was imposed.

Other easements.--The extent of any other easement and the mode of its enjoyment must be fixed with reference to the probable intention of the parties and the purpose for which the right was imposed or acquired.

In the absence of evidence as to such intention and purpose--

1. (a) Right of way--a right of way of any one kind does not include a right of way of any other kind ;
2. (b) Right to light or air acquired by grant--the extent of a right to the passage of light or air to a certain window, door or other opening, imposed by a testamentary or non-testamentary instrument, is the quantity of light or air that entered the opening at the time the testator died or the non-testamentary instrument was made ;
3. (c) Prescriptive right to light or air--the extent of a prescriptive right to the passage of light or air to a certain window, door or other opening is that quantity of light or air which has been accustomed to enter that opening during the whole of the prescriptive period irrespectively of the purposes for which it has been used.
4. (d) Prescriptive right to pollute air or water--the extent of a prescriptive right to pollute air or water is the extent of the pollution at the commencement of the period of user on completion of which the right arose ; and
5. (e) Other prescriptive rights--the extent of every other prescriptive right and the mode of its enjoyment must be determined by the accustomed user of the right.

Increase of easement.--The dominant owner cannot, by merely altering or adding to the dominant heritage, substantially increase an easement.

Where an easement has been granted or bequeathed so that its extent shall be proportionate to the extent of the dominant heritage, if the dominant heritage is increased by alluvion, the easement is proportionately increased, and, if the dominant heritage is diminished by diluvion, the easement is proportionately diminished.

Partition of dominant heritage Partition of dominant heritage.--Where a dominant heritage is divided between two or more persons, the easement becomes annexed to each of the shares, but not so as to increase substantially the burden on the servient heritage :

Provided that such annexation is consistent with the terms of the instrument, decree or revenue proceeding (if any) under which the division was made, and, in the case of prescriptive rights, with the user during the prescriptive period.

Obstruction in case of excessive user.--In the case of excessive user of an easement the servient owner may, without prejudice to any other remedies to which he may be entitled, obstruct the user, but only on the servient heritage :

Provided that such user cannot be obstructed when the obstruction would interfere with the lawful enjoyment of the easement.

Right to enjoyment without disturbance.--The owner or occupier of the dominant heritage is entitled to enjoy the easement without disturbance by any other person.

Suit for disturbance of easement.--The owner of any interest in the dominant heritage, or the occupier of such heritage, may institute a suit for compensation for the disturbance of the easement or of any right accessory thereto ; provided that the disturbance has actually caused substantial damage to the plaintiff.

Explanation I.--The doing of any act likely to injure the plaintiff by affecting the evidence of the easement, or by materially diminishing the value of the dominant heritage, is substantial damage within the meaning of this section and section 34.

Explanation II.--Where the easement disturbed is a right to the free passage of light passing to the openings in a house, no damage is substantial within the meaning of this section unless it falls within the first Explanation, or interferes materially with the physical comfort of the plaintiff, or prevents him from carrying on his accustomed business in the dominant heritage as beneficially as he had done previous to instituting the suit.

Explanation III.--Where the easement disturbed is a right to the free passage of air to the openings in a house, damage is substantial within the meaning of this section if it interferes materially with the physical comfort of the plaintiff, though it is not injurious to his health.

When cause of action arises for removal of support.--The removal of the means of support to which a dominant owner is entitled does not give rise to a right to recover compensation, unless and until substantial damage is actually sustained.

Injunction to restrain disturbance.-Subject to the provisions of the Specific Relief Act, sections 52 to 57 (both inclusive), an injunction may be granted to restrain the disturbance of an easement-

1. (a) if the easement is actually disturbed-when compensation for such disturbance might be recovered under this Chapter ;
2. (b) if the disturbance is only threatened or intended-when the act threatened or intended must necessarily, if performed, disturb the easement.

Abatement of obstruction of easement.-Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24, the dominant owner cannot himself abate a wrongful obstruction of an easement.

Extinction by dissolution of right of servient owner.-When, from a cause which preceded the imposition of an easement, the person by whom it was imposed ceases to have any right in the servient heritage, the easement is extinguished. Exception.-Nothing in this section applies to an easement lawfully imposed by a mortgagor in accordance with section 10. Illustrations.

1. (a) A transfers Sultanpur to B on condition that he does not marry C. B imposes an easement on Sultanpur. Then B marries C. B's interest in Sultanpur ends, and with it the easement is extinguished.
2. (b) A, in 1860, let Sultanpur to B for thirty years from the date of the lease. B, in 1861, imposes an easement on the land in favour of C, who enjoys the easement peaceably and openly as an easement without interruption for twenty-nine years. B's interest in Sultanpur then ends and with it C's easement.
3. (c) A and B, tenants of C, have permanent transferable interests in their respective holdings. A imposes on his holding an easement to draw water from a tank for the purpose of irrigating B's land. B enjoys the easement for twenty years. Then A's rent falls into arrears and his interest is sold. B's easement is extinguished.
4. (d) A mortgages Sultanpur to B, and lawfully imposes an easement on the land in favour of C in accordance with the provisions of section 10. The land is sold to D in satisfaction of the mortgage-debt.

Extinction by release Extinction by release.-An easement is extinguished when the dominant owner releases it, expressly or impliedly, to the servient owner. Such release can be made only in the circumstances and to the extent in and to which the dominant owner can alienate the dominant heritage. An easement may be released as to part only of the servient heritage. Explanation I.-An easement is impliedly released-

1. (a) where the dominant owner expressly authorises an act of a permanent nature to be done on the servient heritage, the necessary consequence of which is to prevent his future enjoyment of the easement, and such act is done in pursuance of such authority ;
2. (b) where any permanent alteration is made in the dominant heritage of such a nature as to show that the dominant owner intended to cease to enjoy the easement in future. Explanation II.-Mere non-user of an easement is not an implied release within the meaning of this section. Illustrations.
3. (a) A, B and C are co-owners of a house to which an easement is annexed. A, without the consent of B and C, releases the easement. This release is effectual only as against A and his legal representative.
4. (b) A grants B an easement over A's land for the beneficial enjoyment of his house. B assigns the house to C. B then purports to release the easement. The release is ineffectual.
5. (c) A, having the right to discharge his eaves-droppings into B's yard, expressly authorises B to build over this yard to a height which will interfere with the discharge. B builds accordingly. A's easement is extinguished to the extent of the interference.
6. (d) A, having an easement of light to a window, builds up that window with bricks and mortar so as to manifest an intention to abandon the easement permanently. The easement is impliedly released.
7. (e) A, having a projecting roof by means of which he enjoys an easement to discharge eaves-droppings on B's land, permanently alters the roof so as to direct the rain-water into a different channel and discharge it on C's land.

Extinction by revocation Extinction by revocation.-An easement is extinguished when the servient owner, in exercise of a power reserved in this behalf, revokes the easement.

Extinction on expiration of limited period or happening of dissolving condition.-An easement is extinguished where it has been imposed for a limited period, or acquired on condition that it shall become void on the performance or non-performance of a specified act, and the period expires or the condition is fulfilled.

Extinction on termination of necessity.-An easement of necessity is extinguished when the necessity comes to an end. Illustration. A grants B a field inaccessible except by passing over A's adjoining land. B afterwards purchases a part of that land over which he can pass to his field.

Extinction of useless easement Extinction of useless easement.-An easement is extinguished when it becomes incapable of being at any time and under any circumstances beneficial to the dominant owner.

Extinction by permanent change in dominant heritage.-Where, by any permanent change in the dominant heritage, the burden on the servient heritage is materially increased and cannot be reduced by the servient owner without interfering with the lawful enjoyment of the easement, the easement is extinguished, unless-

1. (a) it was intended for the beneficial enjoyment of the dominant heritage, to whatever extent the easement should be used; or
2. (b) the injury caused to the servient owner by the change is so slight that no reasonable person would complain of it ; or
3. (c) the easement is an easement of necessity.

Extinction on permanent alteration of servient heritage by superior force Extinction on permanent alteration of servient heritage by superior force.-An easement is extinguished where the servient heritage is by superior force so permanently altered that the dominant owner can no longer enjoy such easement : Provided that, where a way of necessity is destroyed by superior force, the dominant owner has a right to another way over the servient heritage ; and the provisions of section 14 apply to such way. Illustration.

1. (a) A grants to B, as the owner of a certain house, a right to fish in a river running through A's land. The river change its course permanently and runs through C's land. B's easement is extinguished.
2. (b) Access to a path over which A has a right of way is permanently cut off by an earthquake.

Extinction by destruction of either heritage Extinction by destruction of either heritage.-An easement is extinguished when either the dominant or the servient heritage is completely destroyed. Illustration. A has a right of way over a road running along the foot of a seacliff. The road is washed away by a permanent encroachment of the sea.

Extinction by unity of ownership Extinction by unity of ownership.-An easement is extinguished when the same person becomes entitled to the absolute ownership of the whole of the dominant and servient heritages. Illustrations.

1. (a) A, as the owner of a house, has a right of way over B's field. A mortgages his house and B mortgages his field to C. Then C forecloses both mortgages and becomes thereby absolute owner of both house and field. The right of way is extinguished.
2. (b) The dominant owner acquires only part of the servient heritage: the easement is not extinguished except in the case of an easement of necessity.
3. (c) The servient owner acquires the dominant heritage in connection with a third person; the easement is not extinguished.
4. (d) The separate owners of two separate dominant heritages jointly acquire the heritage which is servient to the two separate heritages; the easements are not extinguished.
5. (e) The joint owners of the dominant heritage jointly acquire the servient heritage; the easement is extinguished.
6. (f) A single right of way exists over two servient heritages for the beneficial enjoyment of a single dominant heritage. The dominant owner acquires one only of the servient heritages. The easement is not extinguished.
7. (g) A has a right of way over B's road. B dedicates the road to the public.

Extinction by non-enjoyment Extinction by non-enjoyment.-A continuous easement is extinguished when it totally ceases to be enjoyed as such for an unbroken period of twenty years.

A discontinuous easement is extinguished when, for a like period, it has not been enjoyed as such.

Such period shall be reckoned, in the case of a continuous easement, from the day on which its enjoyment was obstructed by the servient owner, or rendered impossible by the dominant owner ; and, in the case of a discontinuous easement, from the day on which it was last enjoyed by any person as dominant owner :

Provided that if, in the case of a discontinuous easement, the dominant owner, within such period, registers, under the Registration Act, a declaration of his intention to retain such easement, it shall not be extinguished until a period of twenty years has elapsed from the date of the registration.

Where an easement can be legally enjoyed only at a certain place, or at certain times, or between certain hours, or for a particular purpose, its enjoyment during the said period at any other place, or at other times, or between other hours, or for another purpose, does not prevent its extinction under this section.

The circumstance that, during the said period, no one was in possession of the servient heritage, or that the easement could not be enjoyed, or that a right accessary thereto was enjoyed, or that the dominant owner was not aware of its existence, or that he enjoyed it in ignorance of his right to do so, does not prevent its extinction under this section.

An easement is not extinguished under this section-

1. (a) where the cessation is in pursuance of a contract between the dominant and servient owners ;
2. (b) where the dominant heritage is held in co-ownership, and one of the co-owners enjoys the easement within the said period; or
3. (c) where the easement is a necessary easement. Where several heritages are respectively subject to rights of way for the benefit of a single heritage, and the ways are continuous, such rights shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to be a single easement.

Extinction of accessory rights.-When an easement is extinguished, the rights (if any) accessory thereto are also extinguished.

Suspension of easement.-An easement is suspended when the dominant owner becomes entitled to possession of the servient heritage for a limited interest therein, or when the servient owner becomes entitled to possession of the dominant heritage for a limited interest therein.

Servient owner not entitled to require continuance.-The servient owner has no right to require that an easement be continued; and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 26, he is not entitled to compensation for damage caused to the servient heritage in consequence of the extinguishment or suspension of the easement, if the dominant owner has given to the servient owner such notice as will enable him, without unreasonable expense, to protect the servient heritage from such damage.

Compensation for damage caused by extinguishment or suspension.-Where such notice has not been given, the servient owner is entitled to compensation for damage caused to the servient heritage in consequence of such extinguishment or suspension.

Revival of easements.-An easement extinguished under section 45 revives

1. (a) when the destroyed heritage is, before twenty years have expired, restored by the deposit of alluvion;
2. (b) when the destroyed heritage is a servient building and before twenty years have expired such building is re-built upon the same site; and
3. (c) when the destroyed heritage is a dominant building and before twenty years have expired such building is rebuilt upon the same site and in such a manner as not to impose a greater burden on the servient heritage. An easement extinguished under section 46 revives when the grant or bequest by which the unity of ownership was produced is set aside by the decree of a competent Court. A necessary easement extinguished under the same section revives when the unity of ownership ceases from any other cause. A suspended easement revives when the cause of suspension is removed before the right is extinguished under section 47.

"Licence" defined.-Where one person grants to another, or to a definite number of other persons, a right to do, or continue to do, in or upon the immovable property of the grantor, something which would, in the absence of such right, be unlawful, and such right does not amount to an easement or an interest in the property, the right is called a licence.

Who may grant licence.-A licence may be granted by any one in the circumstances and to the extent in and to which he may transfer his interests in the property affected by the licence.

Grant may be express or implied.—The grant of a licence may be express or implied from the conduct of the grantor, and an agreement which purports to create an easement, but is in- effectual for that purpose, may operate to create a licence.

Accessory licences annexed by law.—All licences neces- sary for the enjoyment of any interest, or the exercise of any right, are implied in the constitution of such interest or right. Such licences are called accessary licences-

Licence when transferable.—Unless a different intention is expressed or necessarily implied, a licence to attend a place of public entertainment may be transferred by the licensee ; but, save as aforesaid, a licence cannot be transferred by the licensee or exercised by his servants or agents.

Grantor's duty to disclose defects.—The grantor of a licence is bound to disclose to the licensee any defect in the pro- perty affected by the licence, likely to be dangerous to the per- son or property of the licensee, of which the grantor is, and the licensee is not, aware.

Grantor's duty not to render property unsafe.—The grantor of a licence is bound not to do anything likely to render the property affected by the licence dangerous to the person or property of the licensee.

Grantor's transferee not bound by licence.—When the grantor of the licence transfers the property affected thereby, the transferee is not as such bound by the licence.

Licence when revocable.—A licence may be revoked by the grantor, unless-

1. (a) it is coupled with a transfer of property and such transfer is in force ;
2. (b) the licensee, acting upon the licence, has executed a work of a permanent character and incurred expenses in the execution.

Revocation express or implied.—The revocation of a licence may be express or implied.

Licence when deemed revoked.—A licence is deemed to be revoked-

1. (a) when, from a cause preceding the grant of it, the grantor ceases to have any interest in the property affected by the licence ;
2. (b) when the licensee releases it, expressly or impliedly, to the grantor or his representative ;
3. (c) where it has been granted for a limited period, or acquir- ed on condition that it shall become void on the performance or non-performance of a specified act, and the period expires or the condition is fulfilled ;
4. (d) where the property affected by the licence is destroyed or by superior force so permanently altered that the licensee can no longer exercise his right ;
5. (e) where the licensee becomes entitled to the absolute ownership of the property affected by the licence ;
6. (f) where the licence is granted for a specified purpose and the purpose is attained, or abandoned, or becomes impracticable ;
7. (g) where the licence is granted to the licensee as holding a particular office, employment or character, and such office, employment or character ceases to exist ;
8. (h) where the licence totally ceases to be used as such for an unbroken period of twenty years, and such cessation is not in pursuance of a contract between the grantor and the licensee ;
   • (i) in the case of an accessory licence, when the interest or right to which it is accessory ceases to exist.

Licensee's rights on revocation.—Where a licence is revok- ed, the licensee is entitled to a reasonable time to leave the pro- perty affected thereby and to remove any goods which he has been allowed to place on such property.

Licensee's rights on eviction.—Where a licence has been granted for a consideration, and the licensee, without any fault of his own, is evicted by the grantor before he has fully enjoyed, under the licence, the right for which he contracted, he is entitled to recover compensation from the grantor.

Short title, extent and commencement.-(1) This Act may be called the Easements Act, 1977.

1. (2) It extends to whole of Jammu and Kashmir State. It shall come into force on the 1st day of Baisakh, 1978.

Savings.-Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect any law not hereby expressly repealed ; or to derogate from-

1. (a) any right of the Government to regulate the collection, retention and distribution of the water of rivers and streams flowing in natural channels, and of natural lakes and ponds, or of the water flowing, collected, retained or distributed in or by any channel or other work constructed at the public expense for irrigation ;
2. (b) any customary or other right (not being a licence) in or over immovable property which the Government, the public or any person may possess irrespective of other immovable property ; or
3. (c) any right acquired or arising out of a relation created, before this Act comes into force.

Omitted.

Grantor's transferee not bound by licence.—When the grantor of the licence transfers the property affected thereby, the transferee is not as such bound by the licence.

Licence when revocable.—A licence may be revoked by the grantor, unless-

1. (a) it is coupled with a transfer of property and such transfer is in force ;
2. (b) the licensee, acting upon the licence, has executed a work of a permanent character and incurred expenses in the execution.

Revocation express or implied.—The revocation of a licence may be express or implied.

Licence when deemed revoked.—A licence is deemed to be revoked-

1. (a) when, from a cause preceding the grant of it, the grantor ceases to have any interest in the property affected by the licence ;
2. (b) when the licensee releases it, expressly or impliedly, to the grantor or his representative ;
3. (c) where it has been granted for a limited period, or acquir- ed on condition that it shall become void on the performance or non-performance of a specified act, and the period expires or the condition is fulfilled ;
4. (d) where the property affected by the licence is destroyed or by superior force so permanently altered that the licensee can no longer exercise his right ;
5. (e) where the licensee becomes entitled to the absolute ownership of the property affected by the licence ;
6. (f) where the licence is granted for a specified purpose and the purpose is attained, or abandoned, or becomes impracticable ;
7. (g) where the licence is granted to the licensee as holding a particular office, employment or character, and such office, employment or character ceases to exist ;
8. (h) where the licence totally ceases to be used as such for an unbroken period of twenty years, and such cessation is not in pursuance of a contract between the grantor and the licensee ;
   • (i) in the case of an accessory licence, when the interest or right to which it is accessory ceases to exist.

Licensee's rights on revocation.—Where a licence is revok- ed, the licensee is entitled to a reasonable time to leave the pro- perty affected thereby and to remove any goods which he has been allowed to place on such property.

Licensee's rights on eviction.—Where a licence has been granted for a consideration, and the licensee, without any fault of his own, is evicted by the grantor before he has fully enjoyed, under the licence, the right for which he contracted, he is entitled to recover compensation from the grantor.