What should I know about easements before buying land?
Reviewed August 2026 by Shannon Miles Group
An easement is a legal right for someone else to use a specific part of your property for a specific purpose like utility access, a shared driveway, or pipeline right-of-way. Easements are recorded with the county, transfer with the land, and can limit what you build or where you fence. Always review them before closing.
Understanding easements on rural land.
Easements are a common feature of rural land transactions. They do not mean you cannot use the property, but they do affect how you can use it in certain areas. Understanding easements before you buy helps you avoid surprises and make an informed decision about the property.
Common easement types in rural Texas
Utility easements
Electric, gas, and water companies have the right to access their lines on your property. These typically run along road frontage or property lines. You cannot build structures, plant trees, or install fences within utility easements. They are the most common type of easement on rural properties.
Access easements
Common on landlocked parcels where a neighbor needs to cross your property to reach their own. Access easements specify the location and width of the driveway or path. They are recorded documents that cannot be revoked without the beneficiary's consent.
Pipeline easements
Oil and gas pipeline companies may hold easements across rural properties in parts of Northeast Texas. These easements restrict building, excavation, and deep planting within the easement area. The company also has the right to access the easement for maintenance.
Conservation easements
Less common but significant when they exist. A conservation easement permanently restricts how the land can be used to preserve natural features, wildlife habitat, or agricultural land. They can severely limit future development options.
You can find easements by reviewing the title commitment from your title company, searching county clerk records, and examining the survey. Your title company will identify all recorded easements as part of the closing process. Walk the property with the survey in hand to see where easements are physically located.
Easements run with the land. This means they stay attached to the property even when it changes hands. A utility easement recorded in 1950 still applies to you as the current owner. Always get a copy of every easement before closing and understand exactly what it allows and restricts.
Easements on land in Northeast Texas.
Utility easements along road frontage are standard on most rural properties in Lamar County and the surrounding area. Electric cooperatives and telephone companies typically hold these easements. They are usually 10 to 20 feet wide, running parallel to the road.
Shared driveway easements are common on landlocked parcels where multiple properties share one access point from the county road. If you are buying a landlocked parcel, confirm that the access easement is properly recorded and wide enough for your vehicles, including delivery trucks and emergency vehicles.
Pipeline easements exist in some areas of Northeast Texas, particularly where oil and gas activity has occurred. Your title company will identify any pipeline easements during the title search. If a pipeline easement exists, ask for a copy and understand what restrictions apply within the easement zone.
Evaluating easements before you buy.
- Easements run with the land. They apply to you and all future owners. You cannot terminate an easement just because you own the property.
- Review the title commitment. Your title commitment lists all recorded easements. Read each one carefully or have your attorney review them.
- Ask about unrecorded easements. Some access arrangements may not be formally recorded. Ask the seller and your agent about any informal agreements.
- Consider how easements affect your plans. If an easement crosses your planned building site, garden area, or driveway, it could limit or prevent your plans.
- Get it in writing. If you need an access easement to reach your property, make sure it is properly recorded before you close.
More answers you might find useful.
Not sure about an easement on a property?
Call us or stop by the office at 2322 Lamar Ave. in Paris. We can help you understand easements and how they affect your plans.