Property Ownership

What is a 'riparian right' in Delaware real estate?

AThe right of a property owner to drill for oil and gas beneath their land

BThe right of landowners adjacent to a body of water (river, stream, lake) to use and access that water✓ Correct

CThe right of coastal property owners to prevent others from accessing their beach

DThe right to build a pier or dock on any navigable waterway

Explanation

Riparian rights are property rights related to water — specifically, the rights of landowners whose property borders a body of water. In Delaware, riparian owners have rights to reasonable use of the water, access to the water, and in some cases, ownership to the center of a non-navigable waterway.

People Also Study

Key Terms to Know

Joint Tenancy

Co-ownership where two or more people hold equal, undivided interests with the right of survivorship — when one owner dies, their share passes to the surviving owners.

Easement

A non-possessory right to use another person's land for a specific purpose.

Chain of Title

The sequential record of all transfers of ownership for a piece of property from the original patent holder to the present owner.

Fee Simple

The highest and most complete form of property ownership — absolute ownership with the right to use, sell, or pass the property to heirs.