Glossary · Taxation

Easement (servitude)

An easement is a burden placed on one property (the "servient land") for the benefit of another property (the "dominant land"). It obliges the owner of the servient land to tolerate certain acts of use by the owner of the dominant land, or to refrain from exercising certain rights inherent in their ownership. It is a real right in immovable property, entered in the land register. It runs with the property and binds all successive owners, regardless of who they are. Common easements include rights of way, water or sewer pipes, building restrictions and the preservation of an unobstructed view. In Switzerland, easements are governed by Article 730 of the Civil Code and can only be created or removed by entry in the land register.