What do subsurface rights primarily refer to in real estate?

Subsurface rights in real estate primarily refer to ownership rights to all that is found beneath the surface of the land. This includes rights to minerals, oil, gas, and other resources located below the ground. These rights allow the owner to extract or benefit from the resources that lie under their property, which can be a significant aspect of land ownership.

Understanding subsurface rights is crucial in real estate transactions, as these rights can be sold, leased, or reserved separately from the surface rights. In many cases, landowners may sell their surface rights while retaining ownership of the subsurface rights, or vice versa, leading to a complex interplay of ownership interests. This distinction is important for anyone involved in real estate, as it affects property value and usage.

Other options provided do not accurately define subsurface rights. Ownership rights to the land's surface area relate specifically to the upper portion of the property, while lease agreements on mineral deposits focus on contractual arrangements rather than ownership rights. Rights to access adjacent properties pertain to easements and do not involve subsurface ownership. Therefore, the definition of subsurface rights is clearly encapsulated by ownership rights to everything found beneath the surface of the land.