In real estate, a right of way is a legal permission that allows someone to pass through or use a portion of another person’s property.

A right of way grants a specific individual or entity the legal right to travel across or access a property that they don’t own. This could include pathways for pedestrians, driveways for vehicles, or utility easements for power lines or pipelines.

Rights of way can be established through various means, including written agreements, historical usage, or legal proceedings. They are typically recorded in the property’s deed or title, and they can be permanent or temporary, depending on the terms of the agreement or the circumstances of the case.

Rights of way are important for ensuring access to properties that may be otherwise inaccessible, such as landlocked parcels or properties surrounded by other privately owned land. They can also be used to provide access to public utilities or amenities. It’s important to check for any registered rights of way whenever you’re considering to purchase a property.

Does this sound too similar to easements? Click here to read about the difference between rights-of-way and easements.