Understanding Alley Access and Easements in Vermont A neighbor blocking your access to an alley can be more than just an inconvenience; it can be a significant legal issue, impacting your property rights and daily life. In Vermont, as in other states, the right to use an alley often hinges on the concept of an "easement." Understanding easements is the first critical step in addressing such a dispute. What is an Easement? An easement is a legal right that allows one party to use another's land for a specific purpose. It's not ownership, but rather a limited right to use. When it comes to an alley, an easement grants you the right to travel across a portion of your neighbor's property (or a common area) to reach your own. In legal terms, the property benefiting from the easement is called the "dominant estate," and the property burdened by the easement (the one the alley runs across) is the "servient estate." Types of ...