if someone owns a piece of land do they own it all the way to the earths core???

Answer 1

Yes, in theory.

This is summed up by the wonderful Latin maxim, ''Cuius est solum, ejus est usque ad caelum et ad inferos.''

This translates as, ''To whomever owns the land, shall own the earth to its centre and up to the heavens.''

Of course, this is only a principle and is riddled with exceptions in practice. Someone has already identified one of the most obvious ones, in that it would be quite absurd for people to prevent airliners from overflying their land by issuing actions in trespass and this has been limited by the courts.

Also, I am sure that some precious substances are reserved to the Crown in the event of their discovery on a person's land in a similar way that 'treasure' found upon someone's property belongs to the Crown and not the owner of the freehold.

Unfortunately, not having looked at my Land Law textbook for a number of years I cannot recall which they are.

Answer 2

Depends what municipality/city you live in. Some cities on earth actually dictate the depth at which ownership extends to literally. Most do not. Those land deeds can be up for legal interpretation.

Some cities also have in a land ownership deed a clause indicating they can, under rare and unique circumstances, surplant you from your property for extreme situations. Most do not. In fact, those types of extreme clauses can be found in most non-Western countries. I suppose there may be provisions that are intertwined with military protocols, needs, charters, constitutions etc. of a given country. Maybe someday someone can own the earth right up till your basement someday. Especially with continuation of the resource boom and/or if Bushites stay in power and want to drill the Earth for every last drop of oil.

Interesting question.


Regards,

P.

Answer 3

No. Otherwise, you would be able to drill down to the water table for water - but you need a licence for that in the UK. About £5,000 the last I heard. You probably have Limestone mine shafts running under your house and maybe coal mine shafts. in some areas of the UK, you could drill down and find oil - but you don't have the oil rights. You can use the top soil and grow a lawn or a vegetable patch. You can plant a tree - but need permission to chop it down again. If you allow weeds to grow on your bit of land it's an offence under the weed control act or some such nonsense. Try drilling down to the core and pumping water down - it should come back up - hot - free central heating! But get a licence! The censored bit below is a cross between a horse and a donkey - I'm English - and amazingly speak and write in English. Some arsehole bot censored me!

Answer 4

Hmm. Maybe we could dig warrens under the earth and fix 'em up real nice and sell them as condos? The ones close to the crust have high heat-low A/C bills and the ones closer to the core would have low heat/high A/C bills.

Answer 5

Depends on your local laws. Here in Germany you own everything up to 1m deep. Find some treasure at 1,02 meter and the government is happy.

Answer 6

i doubt it........but to a reasonable depth. and also over it like airspace.
but if there is a lake on your land, you do not own the water......
say you own the land on three sides of a lake. that leaves a way for someone to gain axcess to the water. they can go anywere in the lake......even though you own all the land under it.
this is fact.......we use to own lakefront.

Answer 7

yes and they own all the airspace above it too, this way we charge airlines for flying over our house. I make about £10,000 a day from the airlines doesn't everyone do this?

Answer 8

No. Only to nine inches down but you own all the worms in that layer.

Answer 9

I don't think so.
Its more like all the way to the council offices first to get permission.

Answer 10

Some one wants you to sell them your core...