What is the legal term for the illegal intrusion of a structure across property boundaries?

The term for the illegal intrusion of a structure across property boundaries is "encroachment." This occurs when a building, fence, or other structure extends beyond the property line and unlawfully occupies part of neighboring land. Encroachments can affect property rights, and they may lead to legal disputes between property owners if not addressed.

Understanding this concept is crucial in real estate law, as property owners have specific rights to their land, and intrusions can lead to issues such as the necessity of removal or potential compensation for damages.

In contrast, the other terms relate to natural processes affecting land rather than illegal modifications or intrusions. Reliction refers to the gradual recession of water that exposes previously submerged land. Accretion describes the process by which land increases in size due to the deposit of sediment by natural forces, such as water flow. Avulsion involves a sudden change in land due to natural disasters like floods that can alter property lines instantly. These concepts are important in discussions of land ownership and boundary disputes but do not capture the essence of illegal intrusions in the same way encroachment does.