Adverse Possession

Adverse possession is a doctrine under which a person in possession of land owned by someone else may acquire valid title to it, so long as certain requirements are met, and the adverse possessor is in possession for a sufficient period of time, as defined by a statute of limitations.

The common law requirements have evolved over time and they vary between jurisdictions. Typically, for an adverse possessor to obtain title, their possession of the property must be

Continuous

• A single adverse possessor must maintain continuous possession of the property.
• However, the continuity may be maintained between successive adverse possessors if there is privity between them.