Introduction

J Understand the different parts to the definition of land J Explain what is meant by an estate in land J Explain what rights a landowner will have over the surface area of the land J Explain what rights a landowner has over items found in the land or on the land J Understand the difference between a fixture and a chattel J Explain what rights a landowner has over the airspace above his land

1.1 Introduction Land is central to everyone’s lives. We all have to live somewhere, even if it is not a permanent home. Land law is the study of the relationship between land and the owner of that land. However, when we speak of owners of land we include not only the owner in law, who has the right to buy and sell the land, but also others who have lesser rights, such as the right to walk on the land. So, many different people can be said to be owners of rights in respect of the same piece of land. These rights may also extend to having rights of control over your neighbour’s land: if they try to develop their garden and build another house or build an extension, you may be able to stop them. It is the way all these rights overlap that causes many of the problems in land law.