Which rights allow a property owner to sever ownership of the area above the land?

The correct choice is air rights. In real estate, air rights refer specifically to the legal ability to use, control, or develop the space above a property. This concept allows property owners to sever or separate their ownership of the land from their ownership of the space above it, enabling them to sell or lease air space for various uses, such as building additional structures or installing antennas.

Understanding air rights is particularly important, especially in urban environments where vertical development is common. Property owners can monetize their air rights without necessarily impacting the usage of the land itself. This can lead to innovative solutions in urban planning and development, allowing for increased density in cities.

Surface rights pertain to ownership of the land and any improvements on it, while sub-surface rights relate to the space below the land's surface, commonly concerning mineral rights. Real property ownership encompasses all interests in the property, including surface, sub-surface, and air rights, without distinguishing them individually. Thus, while these other terms are important in property ownership discussions, air rights specifically address the ownership of the area above the land and allow for its severance.