Iowa Real Estate Practice Exam

What is the prescriptive period to acquire an easement in Iowa?

1. 5 years

2. 15 years

3. 20 years

4. 10 years

The correct answer is: 10 years

In Iowa, the prescriptive period to acquire an easement is established at 10 years. This period allows a person to gain permission to use another party's land through continuous and uninterrupted use. The 10-year timeframe begins from the point at which the individual starts using the property in a manner that is open and notorious, meaning that the use is obvious enough to be noticed by the landowner. This legal framework is designed to protect the rights of property owners while providing a pathway for individuals who have established a long-standing claim to use someone else's land, thereby formalizing that use into a legal right.