All the Ins and Outs of Easement Data and Maps

Easement data and maps are considered need-to-know information if you are a seller, investor or developer. Easement data also offers valuable insights for surveyors, architects and lawyers seeking specific and enhanced property data.

What is Easement Data?

Some properties have “easements” on them. An easement grants someone other than the owner legal permission to cross (or otherwise use) an area of their land.

Easements are legally created and enforced and will be listed on the property/land title. The rules and regulations vary slightly from state to state within Australia.

Easement data and maps analytically and visually represent how a particular easement may impact a current or future owner/seller, buyer, developer (and so on).

It provides a greater understanding of the implication easements may have on the existing land/property (via both allowances and/or restrictions in place).

Some common examples of easements include:

The supply of utilities like water or gas

Shared driveways/the right to walk across that properties land

Stormwater drains, telephone lines, power lines

What is Easement Data Used For?

Easement data and maps are essential sources if you have current or future plans to add/remove and change aspects of the property/land (which may infringe on existing easements). This data is also helpful in completing property due diligence so you have this information upfront (even if you don’t have specific plans in mind at this time).

Easements can range from the relatively simple; like being unable to plant certain types of trees near a water pipe, to the more involved, such as building and access restrictions.

There are two main categories of easements, which include:

1. Affirmative easements: allow privileged use of land by another person/party (this is most often something like a shared driveway)

2. Negative easements: indicate restrictions, such as not building over the easement land (often in place to allow a utility authority safe, unobstructed access for essential services/infrastructure)

For prospective buyers and owners, some easements can impact property value, either positively, or negatively. In the case of architects and developers, easements can also impact how financially viable a certain project is.

What Type of Data is Displayed in an Easement Search?

These are some examples of the kind of property easement data you may discover during a property report search via Landchecker:

Location and Boundaries:

o Easement of Way/Carriageway: shows allowances for passing through a defined strip of land/prevents any lot without road access from being blocked.

o Data also indicates boundary/property lines (important when it comes to building/removing physical structures, such as fences, extensions and new builds).

Maintenance & Access:

o Easement of Services: easements that apply to essential community services (such as gas, water, telephone lines)

o Easement of Support: specific to excavation works like drainage pipelines

Easement of Light and Air: pertains to the construction restrictions of walls or buildings if they greatly impact the access to light and air (i.e., views) of another nearby party.

Rights and Restrictions:

o Easement “can and cants’” for a particular property

o Includes rights of artificial waterways and sewerage

Legal: it’s important to note that without checking easements on your property, you will be held responsible for organising and paying for the associated removal/repair of any build/infringements.

It’s much more cost-effective to complete a pre-emptive check with Landchecker!

How Is Easement Data Displayed in Landchecker?

Landchecker offers a range of easement data across properties within Australia. Data is displayed in an easy-to-interpret combination of analytics, layered maps, boundaries and more.

Collectively, you can apply relevant filters to the data for even greater insights for your specific property context and individualised needs.

Accessing Landchecker easement information using the easement map filter is simple, all you need to do is:

Open the Due Diligence menu

Select “Easements”

Enter the property address and the relevant information will be applied

Detailed easement information is available via a Landchecker Premium Property Report or purchase a copy of plan as a final check in order to see all easements associated with the property. We recommend making your search even more robust and exhaustive by also consulting a professional or your local council for the most complete picture possible of all registered easements.

In addition to easement data, a Premium Property Report will also provide other essential up-to-date insights for a particular property, such as valuations, heritage layers, planning zones and permits and much more.

Next Steps:

Sign up for free today to discover more at app.landchecker.com.au/join