A legal document that allows a utility company to maintain power lines on someone's property is known as what?

The correct answer, an easement, is a legal document that grants a utility company the right to access and maintain power lines or other infrastructure on a property owner’s land. This arrangement allows the utility company to perform necessary maintenance and repairs without needing explicit permission each time, ensuring that they can provide consistent service to their customers.

Easements are typically recorded in public land records, meaning they are a matter of public record and are often attached to the land itself, rather than to the property owner. This permanence is important for utility companies to secure their ability to maintain essential services over time.

On the other hand, a service agreement typically relates to the terms under which services are provided and does not grant rights of access to property. A property right generally refers to the legal control a person has over their owned property, which encompasses a broader range of rights than just the limited access associated with an easement. The right of entry grants permission to enter property for a specific purpose, but it does not confer the long-term, sustained use of property that an easement does. Thus, easements are specifically designed for situations like those involving utility companies.