Opinion ID: 1982246
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Nature and Elements of Adverse Possession

Text: The purpose of the doctrine of adverse possession as it exists today has been well described as follows: Adverse possession functions as a method of transferring interests in land without the consent of the prior owner, and even in spite of the dissent of such owner. It rests upon social judgments that there should be a restricted duration for the assertion of aging claims, that the elapse of a reasonable time should assure security to a person claiming to be an owner. The theory upon which adverse possession rests is that the adverse possessor may acquire title at such time as an action in ejectment by that record owner would be barred by the statute of limitations. 7 R. POWELL, THE LAW OF REAL PROPERTY § 1012(2) at 91-4 (Rev. ed. 1989) (hereinafter POWELL). [6] To establish title by adverse possession, a claimant must demonstrate actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession of the premises for the prescribed statutory period under a claim of right or title. Reid v. Anderson, 13 App.D.C. 30, 36 (1898); see generally 5 POWELL, supra, § 1013(1), at 91-11; 7 THOMPSON, supra, § 2543, at 604. It is undisputed that an easement is a property right which may be extinguished by adverse possession. Annotation, Loss of a Private Easement by Nonuser or Adverse Possession, 25 A.L.R.2d 1265, 1322 (1952), and authorities cited. Courts presume that one who occupies the land of another does so with the latter's consent, and adversity must be established by clear and convincing evidence. Boese v. Crane, 182 Kan. 777, 324 P.2d 188, 193-94 (1958); see also 5 THOMPSON, supra, § 2544 at 610-12. They also indulge a presumption, however, that possession is adverse whenever there is open and continuous use of another's land for the statutory period, and this presumption is effective to establish title in the absence of evidence to the contrary. Gary v. Dane, 133 U.S.App.D.C. 397, 399, 411 F.2d 711, 713 (1969); see also Kogod v. Cogito, 91 U.S.App.D.C. 284, 286, 200 F.2d 743, 745 (1952).