What is Adverse Possession?

Adverse possession refers to the process through which an individual may claim ownership of land or property that they do not hold title to, under certain conditions. This typically happens when someone occupies the land without the permission of the true owner for a specified period, during which their possession is continuous, open, and notorious.

For a claim of adverse possession to be successful, the possession must often be hostile, meaning without legal claim or permission from the original owner. This forms the basis of option B as the correct answer because it correctly identifies adverse possession as unauthorized possession that can lead to ownership if specific legal criteria are met.

The other choices do not accurately describe the concept. For instance, acquiring property through a legal sale involves a formal transaction and the transfer of title, which is the opposite of the unauthorized nature of adverse possession. Purchasing at auction is also a consensual market transaction, which again does not relate to the unauthorized use outlined in the concept of adverse possession. Lastly, while adverse possession may eventually lead to a transfer of ownership, it is not characterized as a method of transferring ownership in the conventional sense, such as through sale or gift. Therefore, recognizing unauthorized possession as a key characteristic of adverse possession is essential in understanding this legal principle.