RealTown Words

A means by which property is approached or a method of entrance into or upon a property. Access is also a general or specific right of ingress and egress to a particular property. A property owner usually has the right to have access to and from the property to a public street or highway abutting thereon, including the right to the unrestricted flow of light and air from the street to the property. The term access also refers to the right of a riparian owner to pass to and from the waters upon which the property borders.

Many state laws maintain that a residential tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent from his or her landlord to enter the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises; make necessary or agreed repairs; supply services as agreed; show the dwelling unit to prospective purchasers, mortgagees, or tenants; or demand rent. However, the landlord may not abuse this right of access or use it to harass the tenant and should enter only after giving the tenant reasonable notice or in cases of emergency or when impracticable to do so.

Condominium rules create easements and other rights for owners to gain access to their units across common elements.