What is an easement that applies to the individual rather than the land called?

An easement that applies to the individual rather than the land is known as an easement in gross. This type of easement is granted to a specific person or entity, allowing them the right to use someone else's land for a particular purpose, which is not tied to any specific property ownership.

For instance, a utility company may have an easement in gross that permits it to run power lines across a piece of private property. This easement does not transfer with the property if the owner sells it, meaning the rights are specific to the utility company as an entity rather than a benefit to a parcel of land.

The other types of easements differ significantly in their applications. An appurtenant easement involves a relationship between two properties, meaning it benefits a specific parcel of land rather than an individual. A private easement generally refers to an easement used for personal purposes but may not strictly imply the individual benefit aspect affecting the land in the same way as an easement in gross. A public easement pertains to rights granted to the public at large, often for roads or public utilities, and does not relate to the individual ownership rights context. Therefore, the definition and function of an easement in gross clearly distinguish it as the correct answer