What is an encumbrance in real property law?

An encumbrance in real property law refers to a restriction or limitation placed on a property's title, which can affect the owner's ability to transfer title or utilize the property fully. Encumbrances can take various forms, such as liens, easements, and restrictive covenants. They can impose certain obligations on the property owner or serve as a claim against the property by a creditor.

For instance, if a property has a mortgage lien placed upon it, that lien represents an encumbrance because it limits the owner's rights concerning the property until the mortgage is paid off. Similarly, an easement allows others to use a portion of the property for specific purposes, further illustrating how encumbrances define what an owner can or cannot do with their land.

In contrast to this, the other choices do not accurately capture the definition of an encumbrance. Selling property, methods of ownership, or types of land formations do not reflect the limitations or claims that an encumbrance represents in real property law.