{"id":104680,"date":"2025-08-13T09:15:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T16:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=104680"},"modified":"2025-08-26T10:58:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T17:58:28","slug":"adverse-possession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/adverse-possession\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Adverse Possession and How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"rkt-Body-16 rsc-copy\">\n<h3><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In real estate, adverse possession is when someone uses part or all of your land for long enough, without your permission, that the law can give them ownership.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It exists to settle long-standing property disputes and ensure land isn\u2019t left unused.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s rare, but it can happen \u2014 most often in boundary disputes or with abandoned property.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you buy a home, you naturally assume you\u2019ll have full ownership and control over it and the land it sits on. And that\u2019s almost always the case. But in rare cases, through an action called adverse possession, someone could gain title to your property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the details vary by state, every state has some form of adverse possession law. These laws usually require many years of occupation plus specific legal conditions before someone else can claim your property. Understanding how it works can help you spot potential issues and protect your land.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is adverse possession in real estate?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine your neighbor builds a fence a few feet into your yard. You don\u2019t notice or don\u2019t object. After several years, the law might say that the strip of your yard now belongs to them \u2014 even though you bought it \u2014 because they\u2019ve used it as their own for long enough without your permission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s adverse possession.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this might sound scary at first, adverse possession isn\u2019t something that could happen over the course of just a few months. In most states, it takes 5 to 20 years of constant use before someone can make a legal claim.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, certain common law requirements must be met, which we\u2019ll cover below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does adverse possession exist?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adverse possession laws weren\u2019t created to reward trespassing. They exist so that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Land isn\u2019t left sitting unused<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-standing property line mistakes can be resolved<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disputes have a legal endpoint after many years<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the five requirements for adverse possession?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every state\u2019s rules are slightly different, but most require the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Possession must be hostile<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The definition of hostile possession varies by state. Typically, this means that the trespasser is using the property without an existing agreement or license from the owner. There are three legal definitions of hostile that states will follow before it comes to adverse possession:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Simple occupation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This claim is typically followed by most states. It defines hostile as the simple occupation of the land. The trespasser doesn\u2019t have to know that the land has a true owner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Awareness of trespassing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In awareness of trespassing, the trespasser is aware that they have no legal right to be on or use the property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Good faith mistake: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This rule requires the trespasser to have made an innocent mistake in occupying the property. For example, they may have relied on an invalid or incorrect deed, making them unaware of the property line. Only a few states follow this rule.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: A neighbor builds a fence based on an incorrect survey, unintentionally enclosing part of your yard.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Possession must be continuous<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The possessor must occupy the property without major interruption for the full period. For example, they can\u2019t use the land for one season, leave for several years, and then return.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Possession must be open and notorious<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notorious possession means that the occupation must be obvious enough that the true owner could reasonably notice it. This might include building structures, planting gardens, or making visible improvements that cross property lines.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Possession must be actual<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actual possession means that the person making the claim is currently in possession of the property for the entire statutory period. This means that they are making use of the property by maintaining it and, depending on state law, paying taxes on it. Usually, the trespasser can establish actual possession by documenting their efforts to maintain and improve the land.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, actual possession means that the trespasser is physically present and treats the land as if they were the owner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nolo.com\/legal-encyclopedia\/who-can-claim-property-based-adverse-possession-california.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> California adverse possession<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cases, the person making the claim must possess the land in question for at least five years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Possession must be exclusive<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exclusive possession means that the trespasser must possess the land solely on their own. Additionally, they cannot share possession with anyone, including the owner. Ownership must be without interruption over a specific period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Essentially, the trespasser can\u2019t return or give up the property at any time. Each state may have a different time restriction on this possession claim.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example of adverse possession<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many adverse possession cases don\u2019t involve someone taking over an entire home or property. More often, they involve small pieces of land that go unnoticed for years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common example is when a property owner stops maintaining a vacant lot they own on the edge of town. Over time, a neighbor begins using the lot as part of their backyard \u2014 mowing the grass, planting trees, and even putting up a small shed. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The use is open and obvious, but the true owner never objects or visits the property. After the required number of years in that state, the neighbor may be able to claim legal ownership of the lot through adverse possession.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to prevent adverse possession<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adverse possession certainly sounds scary, but it\u2019s also quite rare. And as a property owner, there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify your property lines<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some adverse possession happens because the parties don\u2019t know where their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockethomes.com\/blog\/homeowner-tips\/property-lines\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property lines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are. You can prevent this by reviewing your deed or plat, surveying your property, or checking your county\u2019s public records.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get an easement<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockethomes.com\/blog\/home-buying\/easement\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">easement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a legal agreement that allows your neighbor to use a portion of your property without risk of adverse possession. An example of when an easement may be used is if you allow a neighbor to park on your property.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay present<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to be present on your property. Being present on your property rather than purchasing and abandoning it helps you keep tabs on what\u2019s happening and gives you a legal defense against adverse possession.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check tax records<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some states, a trespasser must have paid <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockethomes.com\/blog\/home-buying\/buying-process\/property-tax\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">property taxes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the property to be granted ownership. If you think someone may be trespassing, check the local tax records to see if they\u2019ve made payments on your property.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent or lease the property<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can prevent adverse possession by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockethomes.com\/blog\/housing-market\/how-to-rent-out-a-house\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">renting out the property<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rockethomes.com\/blog\/home-selling\/how-to-lease-your-home\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leasing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it. The legal agreement invalidates the hostile element of possession and helps ensure the occupation has an end date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notable adverse possession cases<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although they are relatively rare, a number of adverse possession cases have made their way through the court system. Below are a few historic examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/supreme.justia.com\/cases\/federal\/us\/168\/278\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holtsman v. Douglas (1897)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/cases\/washington\/supreme-court\/1967\/39095-1.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Krona v. Brett (1967)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/cases\/rhode-island\/supreme-court\/2024\/22-309.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\">O&#8217;Keefe v. York (2024)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Adverse possession FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3>Are squatter&#8217;s rights the same as adverse possession?<\/h3>\n<p>Though both involve taking over property that doesn&#8217;t belong to you, squatter&#8217;s rights are not the same as adverse possession. The primary difference is that there is no legal standing for squatters to stay on the property since they don&#8217;t meet the requirements for adverse possession.<\/p>\n<p>Squatters can be removed by law enforcement while cases of adverse possession are addressed in civil court.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does adverse possession apply to new owners?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adverse possession can be applied in the case of a newly purchased home. Taking precautions like familiarizing yourself with the property lines and monitoring the property can prevent this.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the statute of limitations on adverse possession?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statute of limitations on adverse possession depends on where you live and the nature of the possession. Some state laws allow someone to claim adverse possession within just 5 or 7 years if they are listed on the deed or have paid property taxes. However, many states require a period of either 10 or 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you beat adverse possession?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to beat adverse possession is to be aware of your state\u2019s laws, be aware of your property lines and be proactive in preventing someone from adversely taking control of your property. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legal agreements like leases or easements can help prevent someone\u2019s presence on your property from giving them a claim of adverse possession.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do I do if someone claims adverse possession of my property?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If someone claims adverse possession of your property, the first step should be to cut it off at the knees. For example, if you notice a neighbor building a fence or planting trees on your property, you should have it removed immediately. However, if enough time has passed that the other party might have a true claim, you\u2019ll want to hire an attorney.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A final note on adverse possession<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adverse possession is an interesting legal concept whereby someone can take ownership of someone else\u2019s land in certain situations. It\u2019s a rare occurrence and generally involves many years of possession and a few important characteristics. And as a property owner, there are plenty of proactive steps you can take to keep it from happening to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adverse possession is a concept that most aren&#8217;t familiar with, but it&#8217;s important to understand. Learn more about what circumstances qualify.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":557,"featured_media":104696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276],"tags":[4007],"coauthors":[34341],"class_list":["post-104680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","tag-home-buyer-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Adverse Possession in Real Estate? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about what adverse possession in real estate is, which situations qualify, and how it differs from squatter&#039;s rights.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/adverse-possession\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is Adverse Possession and How Does It Work?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn more about what adverse possession in real estate is, which situations qualify, and how it differs from squatter&#039;s rights.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/adverse-possession\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-13T16:15:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-26T17:58:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/house-with-wooden-fence.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Chibuzo Ezeokeke\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Chibuzo Ezeokeke\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Chibuzo Ezeokeke\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e9d28105a98424eda0d7014e2206d75b\"},\"headline\":\"What Is Adverse Possession and How Does It Work?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-13T16:15:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-26T17:58:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1521,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/house-with-wooden-fence.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Homebuyer Tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Buying a Home\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/adverse-possession\\\/\",\"name\":\"What is Adverse Possession in Real Estate? 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