Can mortgaged real estate be encumbered without agreement of Mortgagee and mortgagor?

Question

specifically, can the mortgagor grant an easement across the property, without permission from mortgagee??

Answer 1

Yes. Several ways, like liens for taxes or other government services, or judgement liens from lawsuits, or a Lis Pendens from plaintiffs suing the owner for something.

Answer 2

If they want the encumbrance to be properly enforceable: yes. With out notice to other parties holding an interest in the property and if they want to possibly cause fraud or possibly not have the encumbrance enforceable due to the language of previous encumbrances then: no.