In the USA, how deep into the earth does property ownership extend?
That is, how much of the earth under my house is considered part of my
property?

Hi alebron,

Your property extends to the center of the earth. I found a page that
explains this very simply:

FAn excerpt from the book:

What the "Experts" May Not Tell You About?...Buying a House or Apartment
by Dan Ramsey  

 
Chapter 1:  It All Boils Downto Property Rights
http://www.twbookmark.com/books/94/0446690929/chapter_excerpt18943.html
..."Real property is the right to use real estate. Real estate is the
land and everything attached to it. Personal property is everything
not attached to the land. The right of real property extends from the
center of the earth to the end of the earth's atmosphere, unless
otherwise ruled.

What about the house on the property? Is it real property or personal
property? The rule is: If it's attached to the land (typically with a
foundation in the ground), it's part of the land and thus part of the
real estate and real property..."


This is a very interesting chapter that is posted in full at the link.


Here's a Power Point Presentation from the Notre Dame Business
Department that says the same thing. To see the presentation, click as
you would to scroll down. It's pretty cool. It explains property
rights in detail. There is much to be learned here:

PROPERTY
http://www.notredamehs.com/TeachResource/Lutz/Chapter%203.ppt


I trust this answers your question, but if I can clarify anything,
please don't hesitate to ask.


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google:
"real property" own ground OR land "center of the earth"

Very thorough

"from the center of the earth to the end of the earth's atmosphere"

So homeowners own a piece of hell?

And why can't one sue to keep airplanes from flying over one's land? 
Seems like a double-standard.

Hi Cynthia

I asked a similiar question some time ago (question number
418068)Although my question was not answered, two researchers
(KRISWRITE-GA and MARKJ-GA) did point out that the legal implications
of my question are rather complex.

I am assuming that the extension of property rights "up and Down" as
been "from the center of the earth to the end of the earth's atmosphere"
is probably something of an oversimplification.

Cheers

Mongolia

Perhaps you should also study up on mineral rights...

Mineral rights are mentioned in at least one of Cynthia's links.