What does it mean if a property has a 'servient tenement'?

When a property is described as having a 'servient tenement', it indicates that the property is burdened by an easement. In other words, the servient tenement is the property that allows another property, known as the dominant tenement, to exercise certain rights over it. This could include the right to access the property, run utility lines, or other specific uses as outlined in the easement agreement.

The servient tenement's owner must allow these specified uses or access, which distinguishes it from properties without such obligations. Understanding this concept is crucial in real estate as it affects the rights and responsibilities of property ownership, particularly in relation to neighboring properties.