What type of legal claim allows individuals to acquire property they have possessed for a certain period without the owner's permission?

The correct answer is adverse possession. This legal doctrine allows individuals to obtain legal ownership of a property after possessing it for a specific period, which is typically defined by state law, without the permission of the original owner. The essential elements of adverse possession generally include continuous and exclusive possession, actual possession, open and notorious use, and a claim of right. This means that the individual must treat the property as their own in a way that is visible and obvious to others, demonstrating an intent to possess the property contrary to the interests of the true owner.

In the context of Pennsylvania, the required period for adverse possession is typically 21 years. This law is designed to promote the efficient use of land and resolve disputes regarding property ownership where the true owner has not exercised their rights for an extended time.

Other options like tenancy at sufferance refer to situations where a tenant remains on the property without the landlord's consent after their lease has expired, which does not establish ownership. Leasehold interest involves rights granted to a tenant under a lease, which is a temporary arrangement rather than a claim for ownership. A third party claim might involve disputes resolved in court, but it does not pertain to acquiring title through possession. Thus, adverse possession is distinctly focused on the process