NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying Practice Exam

What is the legal definition of reversionary rights?

1. Rights that permit the creation of new easements

2. Rights that allow a landowner to regain title after a sale

3. Rights defined by law permitting an owner to regain certain rights in vacated easements

4. Rights that allow temporary use of another's property

The correct answer is: Rights defined by law permitting an owner to regain certain rights in vacated easements

Reversionary rights refer to the legal concept wherein an original property owner retains the right to regain certain rights or ownership after a specific event occurs, such as the expiration of a lease or the termination of an easement. This definition aligns with the choice that states these rights are defined by law and enable an owner to regain certain rights in vacated easements. In the context of property and easements, if a landowner grants an easement to another party and that easement is later vacated or terminated for some reason, the original landowner may have reversionary rights that allow them to reclaim full use of the property. These rights are crucial in ensuring that original owners have a mechanism to recover their interests in land that may have been temporarily relinquished. Understanding this concept is particularly important for surveyors and real estate professionals who must navigate complex property rights and conveyances, ensuring they are aware of both current and potential future claims to property interests that may arise from reversionary rights.