urban servitude

Urban servitude, a concept rooted in Roman, civil, and Scots law, pertains to rights affecting a building, regardless of its location. These rights can include inserting beams into an adjacent wall, receiving support from another's wall, or rights concerning eavesdrip, rainwater drainage, light, and prospect.1

In contrast, rural servitudes primarily affect the soil or land itself, imposed upon rural properties. Anglo-American property law uses the broader term "servitude" for devices that tie rights and obligations to land ownership, running with the land to successive owners. These can include easements, covenants, and profits, facilitating various land-use arrangements.23