In Pennsylvania, what method is used to acquire title to real property by possession for a statutory period?

In Pennsylvania, the method used to acquire title to real property through possession over a specified statutory period is known as adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows an individual to claim ownership of land under certain conditions, typically after continuous and exclusive possession that is open, notorious, and adverse to the interests of the true owner.

To establish a claim of adverse possession in Pennsylvania, the claimant must fulfill specific requirements, including possessing the property for at least 21 years. This process effectively translates the occupancy and use of land into legal ownership, as it recognizes the rights of those who have invested time and resources in the property, even if they did not initially hold legal title.

Other options, while related to property and usage rights, do not confer title in the same manner. Continuous use generally refers to the uninterrupted use of property, but it does not establish a claim of ownership. A prescriptive easement allows someone to use a portion of land owned by another but does not grant full title to the property itself. A claim of right often implies a belief that one has a legitimate claim to the property but does not necessarily involve the legal formalities required for adverse possession.

Thus, adverse possession is the recognized legal method in Pennsylvania for acquiring title through possession.