What is an example of a negative easement?

A negative easement is a type of property right that allows a landowner to restrict or prevent neighboring property owners from performing certain activities on their own land that would otherwise be permissible. In this context, permitting an adjoining landowner from digging a ditch exemplifies a negative easement because it signifies a right that restrains someone else from modifying their property in a way that might negatively impact the easement holder's interests, such as views, access to sunlight, or natural drainage.

For example, if a property owner has a negative easement preventing a neighbor from digging a ditch, it could protect the easement holder from water drainage issues or erosion that might arise from the neighbor’s actions. This kind of easement focuses on preventing landowners from interfering with the rights of others, hence its classification as "negative."

In contrast, other options reflect different kinds of property rights, such as granting permission or temporary use, rather than restricting action which is essential to the definition of a negative easement.