property

adverse possession

A way to acquire title to someone else's land by occupying it openly, notoriously, continuously, exclusively, and hostilely (without permission) for a period set by state statute. Some states also require the possessor to pay property taxes or have color of title. The required time period varies widely by state, and periods of successive possessors may sometimes be combined through tacking.

Exam tip: Remember the elements, often recalled as OCEAN: open, continuous, exclusive, adverse (hostile), notorious. Permission defeats a claim.
Example: A neighbor fences in and gardens a strip of an adjoining lot for the full statutory period without permission and may sue to gain title to it.

1. Adverse possession allows someone to acquire title by:

Answer & explanation

Answer: B. Adverse possession requires open, notorious, exclusive, continuous and hostile use for the statutory period. A tenant's possession is permissive, not hostile. (Reclassified to section 1 / CORE.)

Related terms & state variants

easement by prescription involuntary alienation quiet title action tacking

Sources

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Last verified: 2026-10-23