Which statement correctly lists the typical requirements for adverse possession?

• A. Use by the owner with consent.
• B. Use only during daytime.
• C. Temporary, covert, co-ownership use for a year.
• D. Exclusive, continuous, actual, hostile, open use for a statutory period.

Answer: (D)

Adverse possession is about gaining title by occupying land in a way that demonstrates ownership against the true owner, for a duration set by law. The statement that fits best lists five key elements: exclusive use, continuous use, actual possession, hostility (without the owner’s permission), and open and notorious use for the statutory period.

Exclusive means you treat the land as yours and exclude others, including the owner. Continuous means your use isn’t broken by long interruptions for the entire legal period. Actual possession means you physically occupy or use the land in a meaningful way. Hostile (adverse) means you occupy it despite the owner's rights, not with their permission. Open and notorious means your use is visible to the world so the true owner could notice and challenge it. Taken together, these elements show the possessor acts as an owner would, for the required time.

The other descriptions fall short: permission from the owner destroys hostility; limiting use to daytime, or making it temporary or covert, or sharing possession, fails to meet the continuous, exclusive, adverse, and open requirements for the full statutory period.