Encroachments are:

• A. Considered a trespass
• B. Allowed if minor
• C. A form of lien
• D. Not legally actionable

Answer: (A)

Encroachment is when a structure or land feature crosses onto a neighbor’s property, intruding onto land you don’t own. That intrusion is treated as trespass because it involves occupying another person’s land without permission, infringing on their exclusive possession regardless of intent or how small the intrusion is. Because trespass protects ownership and possession of real property, encroachment can support a civil claim and lead to remedies like removal of the encroachment, damages, or an injunction. It isn’t a lien, since a lien is a security interest tied to debt, not an unauthorized intrusion. It’s not something that’s acceptable just because it’s minor, and it’s not something that isn’t legally actionable—the encroachment itself is what gives rise to potential legal action.