Correct Answer:
C. A charge or claim on land
The term “encumbrance” is a fundamental concept in property law. It refers to a charge or claim on land, which legally burdens or limits the title to a property. Examples include mortgages, liens, easements, or unpaid taxes. An encumbrance can affect the property's value or restrict its transferability until it is resolved.
- A 'boundary dispute' is a disagreement over property lines, not a claim on the land itself.
- A 'legal practitioner' is a lawyer.
- An 'estate subdivision' is the process of dividing a larger property into smaller parcels. None of these accurately define an encumbrance.