Which of the following best describes the purpose of easements?

The purpose of easements is primarily to allow access to a property by others. An easement is a legal right granted to a person or entity to use someone else's land for a specific purpose. This can often involve access for utilities, pathways, or driveways, enabling individuals or companies to cross over a parcel of land without owning it. For example, if a property owner does not have direct access to a public road, they might obtain an easement from a neighboring property to facilitate access.

This fundamental function of easements highlights their role in ensuring that crucial services or pathways are available, promoting practical use of land even when ownership does not confer unrestricted access rights. The other options present characteristics or effects that might arise from easements, but they do not capture the core definition and primary purpose of what easements are designed to achieve.