Do you own everything under your property?
Asked by: Andres Maggio DDS | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (36 votes)
You generally own the land and structures, but ownership of what's below (minerals, water) and above (airspace) has significant limitations, often split by law or existing rights, meaning you don't own everything infinitely down and up, but rather the usable surface and what's naturally attached, subject to regulations, easements, and government control.
Do I own the land beneath my property?
You probably own the land
Generally speaking, it's likely that you own the property underneath and around your house. Most property ownership law is based on the Latin doctrine, “For whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to heaven and down to hell.” There can be exceptions, though.
How deep under your property do you own?
As for how much of the land below your property you own, there's no real limit enforced by courts and there have been cases of people being prosecuted for trespassing on other people's property for digging even in the thousands of feet below the ground in the search for oil.
How far above your property do you own?
The upper limit, based on the Federal Aviation Administration's definition of navigable airspace (meaning everything above it is free for pilots to fly), is 500 feet. As of yet, there are no laws on record that establish who owns the land between 83 feet and 500 feet.
How long can something sit on your property before it becomes yours?
How long something on your property becomes yours depends on whether it's personal belongings or land, with personal items generally requiring formal notice for the owner to claim (e.g., 14-30 days after notice), while land falls under "adverse possession," a complex legal process requiring years (5-20+) of open, hostile, continuous, and exclusive use, often including paying taxes, varying significantly by state law, and usually needing a lawyer.
Make Your Trust Own Everything! A Proper Explanation
What to do if someone won't get their stuff off your property?
If someone won't return your belongings, start by calmly asking, then send a formal demand letter, and if that fails, escalate to legal action like Small Claims Court or a replevin suit, while documenting everything and seeking police help for a civil standby if needed, as they generally see it as a civil matter, not theft unless criminal intent (theft/burglary) is clear.
How long does someone have to stay in your house to be considered living there?
There's no single universal time, as it depends on state laws, but generally, a guest becomes a tenant after 14 to 30 days, especially if they regularly sleep there, receive mail, or contribute to expenses; key factors include time (e.g., 14 days in 6 months in CA, 30 days in NY/PA/OH), actions (mail, ID, paying bills), and local regulations, with some states like Georgia defining it by contribution rather than time alone.
What's the difference between owning and possessing?
Ownership is a legal status, while possession can be temporary or disputed. The act of holding property, often without ownership rights. Detention implies a lack of legal ownership, whereas possession can imply control.
What is the 3-3-3 rule in real estate?
The "3-3-3 Rule" in real estate typically refers to a financial guideline for home buyers, suggesting monthly housing costs stay under 30% of gross income, saving 30% for a down payment/buffer, and the home price shouldn't exceed 3 times annual income, preventing overspending and building financial security for unexpected costs, notes Chase Bank, CMG Financial, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Another interpretation, Mountains West Ranches https://www.mwranches.com/blog/3-3-3-rule-a-smart-guide-for-real-estate-buyers, is for buyers to have three months of savings, three months of mortgage reserves, and compare three properties, while agents use a marketing version: call 3, write 3 notes, share 3 resources.
Can I make my property a no-fly zone?
You can create or order signs indicating your preference for no drone flights over your property. While not legally binding, they may deter pilots. Be cautious not to claim your property is a "no drone zone," as this conflicts with FAA regulations and could lead to being asked to remove the signs.
How much is 1 acre worth in Alabama?
An acre of land in Alabama varies significantly by county and type, ranging from under $1,000 for rural timberland (like Perry County) to over $25,000 for desirable areas (like Baldwin County), with farmland averaging around $3,980 (2019 data) but often more now for homesteads and development, generally falling in the $2,000 to $10,000+ range depending on location, features (water, access), and intended use (hunting, farming, building).
Who owns the ground under your house?
[C]ourts in Montana, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York, Michigan, West Virginia, New Mexico, and California all recognize the surface owner's ownership of underground pore space for gas storage operations.
Do you need a permit to dig on your own property?
The necessity for authorization or a permit to dig on one's own land is determined by the location and kind of excavation activity being undertaken. Even if a person owns the land, they may need to seek a permit to dig in certain situations, particularly if the job includes laying services such as water or gas lines.
How far under my property do I own?
Typically, you do. The general idea is that you own everything within the property lines and that you can extend them upward and downward essentially infinitely. However, exceptions exist. For instance, there have been cases of development companies working to sell off the mineral rights to energy companies.
What is the 6 month rule for property?
The "6-month rule" in property generally refers to a guideline from mortgage lenders (especially in the UK) requiring you to own a property for at least six months before taking out a new mortgage or refinancing, preventing quick flips, fraud, and ensuring financial stability, with the period starting from land registry registration, not just purchase. It helps lenders control risks like "day one remortgages" (cash purchase followed by immediate mortgage application) and ensure stable home residency, affecting cash-out refinances and property sales.
Can you legally live off the grid?
Yes — you can legally live off the grid in the United States, but success depends on compliance with local zoning, building codes, water and waste regulations, and power system requirements.
How long will $500,000 last using the 4% rule?
Using the 4% rule with $500,000, you can initially withdraw $20,000 in the first year, and this amount is adjusted for inflation annually, with the savings typically lasting around 30 years, though actual longevity depends heavily on investment performance, market conditions, and actual spending habits.
What salary do you need to make to afford a $400,000 house?
To afford a $400k house, you generally need an annual income between $90,000 and $135,000, but this varies significantly; lenders look for your total housing payment (PITI) to be under 28-36% of your gross income, so factors like interest rates, down payment, credit score, and existing debts (car loans, student loans) heavily influence the exact income needed, with a higher income needed for higher rates or more debt.
What is the 50% rule in real estate?
The 50% rule in real estate investing is a quick guideline that estimates 50% of a rental property's gross income covers operating expenses (like taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy), leaving the other half for mortgage payments and profit, helping investors rapidly screen deals by quickly seeing if potential cash flow covers loan costs. It's a simplified tool for initial analysis, excluding mortgage, HOA, and management fees, but requires deeper dives into specific property costs, as actual expenses can vary greatly by location and property type.
What are the three types of possession?
The main types of possession are actual, constructive, and joint possession. Each type of possession involves different levels and forms of control, knowledge, and use of an asset.
Does possess mean own?
Yes, possess means to own, but it also means to have control, hold, or occupy something, and in law, possession (physical control) is different from ownership (legal title). You can possess something without owning it (like a rented car), and you can own something without actively possessing it (like a house you rent out).
What is the legal definition of ownership?
Ownership is the legal right to use, possess, and give away a thing. Ownership can be tangible such as personal property and land, or it can be of intangible things such as intellectual property rights.
What's it called when someone lives in your house without permission?
“Phrogging” (pronounced like “frogging”) is when someone secretly lives in another person's home without their knowledge. The name comes from the idea of leapfrog, with the intruder hopping from place to place like a frog—whether that be someone's basement or attic or crawlspace.
Can my girlfriend live with me if she's not on the lease?
Yes, your girlfriend can live with you without being on the lease, but it's risky and often against lease terms, potentially leading to eviction because landlords need to know all occupants for background checks, occupancy limits, and liability; it's best to talk to your landlord to add her as an authorized occupant to avoid violating the lease and protect her tenancy rights, as without being on the lease, she's just a guest and has no rights if you break up or she faces issues.