Correct Answer:
C. A charge or claim on land
The term “encumbrance” in real estate refers to a legal right or interest in a property that belongs to someone other than the owner, which can affect the property's transferability or restrict its use. This includes charges like mortgages, liens, easements, or unpaid taxes.
- A charge or claim on land is the correct definition, as it directly describes such legal burdens.
- “A boundary dispute” is a disagreement over property lines, not a general claim on the land itself.
- “A legal practitioner” is a person, not a property claim.
- “An estate subdivision” is the process of dividing land, unrelated to a claim or charge.