Adverse possession is one way in which the title or ownership of a particular piece of property can change hands. Adverse possession is different from other types because property is acquired without compensation and the new owner is in an adverse position to the current owner. In adverse possession, the original owner loses much of their property rights without any payment or compensation. The issue of squatter’s rights provides more insight into the notion of adverse possession. Some areas in the world still maintain these rights. Basically, squatter’s rights allow a person to occupy a building that is abandoned. Once the squatter has lived in the home for a certain period of time, they are given certain rights. The squatter is said to be in adverse possession because their ownership is without compensation and affects the original owner’s interest in the property.
