Property OwnershipIntermediateDelaware Exam

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 waterCorrect

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

Why The right of landowners adjacent to a body of water (river, stream, lake) to use and access that water Is Correct

Answer B: The right of landowners adjacent to a body of water (river, stream, lake) to use and access that water

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.

Exam Tip: Property Ownership

Property ownership questions test the bundle of rights and different forms of ownership. Know the differences between joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property, including the right of survivorship.

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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.