- Right-of-Way Blocked by New Owner
If a previous accustomed right-of-way road (but not on paper) was used as such for many decades and allowed by the previous owner was sold to a new owner, and the new owner blocked the right-of-way because he owns it, and the tenants around it don't have any way to move in or out of their houses, what would be the right thing to do?
Short answer
The new owner
cannot be assumed to be legally bound by a long‑used “right of way” if it was only by
permission/tolerance of the previous owner and was
not written, registered, or legally established. However, if the surrounding houses are now
landlocked and have no adequate outlet to a public road, the affected owners/occupants may have a basis to demand a
compulsory legal easement of right of way under the Civil Code.
The proper course is
not to forcibly remove the blockage, but to:
- Confirm whether the road is private or public/barangay road;
- Negotiate or send a written demand for access;
- Go through barangay conciliation if applicable; and
- If unresolved, file the proper court action to establish an easement of right of way and, if urgent, ask for an injunction/TRO to prevent total isolation.
Key legal points
1. Long use does not automatically create a right of way
A right of way is an
easement. Under Philippine law, easements may be voluntary or legal. But a road used merely because the former owner allowed it may be considered use by
tolerance, not ownership of a legal right.
Also, a right of way is generally considered a
discontinuous easement because it is used only when someone passes through. Discontinuous easements are acquired only by
title, not by prescription or long use alone.
So, if there was no written agreement, no deed of easement, and no annotation on title, the new owner may argue that the previous use was only by permission.
2. But if the houses are landlocked, the law may grant a compulsory easement
If the residents or property owners have
no adequate outlet to a public highway, they may demand a legal easement of right of way, subject to the requirements of the Civil Code.
Generally, the requisites are:
- The property is surrounded by other properties and has no adequate outlet to a public road;
- The lack of access is not due to the claimant’s own acts;
- The easement is established at the point least prejudicial to the servient estate;
- If consistent with least prejudice, it should be the shortest route to the public road; and
- The owner of the land burdened by the easement must be ρáíd proper indemnity.
In simple terms: the new owner’s ownership is respected, but the law may require him to allow passage if there is truly no reasonable access, with compensation.
What should be done practically?
Step 1: Check if the road is actually public or private
Before treating it as a private dispute, verify whether the road is:
- A barangay road;
- A municipal/city road;
- A subdivision/common access road;
- An easement already annotated on a land title;
- A private road owned by the new owner.
You may check with:
- Barangay office;
- City/Municipal Engineer’s Office;
- City/Municipal Assessor;
- Register of Deeds;
- DENR/LRA survey records, if needed.
If it is a
public road, the owner generally cannot block it. The matter should be brought to the barangay, city/municipal government, or other proper authorities.
Step 2: Talk to the new owner and propose a formal easement
If the land is private, the residents or landowners should try to negotiate a written agreement, such as:
- A deed of right of way/easement;
- Payment of reasonable compensation;
- Agreement on the exact width and location;
- Annotation of the easement on the land titles.
This is often faster and cheaper than litigation.
Step 3: Go to the barangay
If the parties live in the same city or municipality, the dispute may first have to go through
barangay conciliation before a court case can be filed, unless there is an urgent need for court action such as immediate danger, emergency access, or need for injunctive relief.
Ask the barangay for mediation and for a written record of proceedings.
Step 4: If unresolved, consult a lawyer and consider court action
If the new owner refuses and the residents truly have no other access, the affected property owner/s may file an action in court to:
- Establish a legal easement of right of way;
- Fix the proper location and width;
- Determine the indemnity to be ρáíd;
- Ask for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction if the blockage causes urgent harm, such as inability to enter/exit homes, emergency risks, or denial of basic access.
A lawyer should review the titles, tax declarations, survey plans, and history of the road.
Important caution
The residents should
not forcibly destroy or remove the obstruction without lawful authority, because that could expose them to possible civil or criminal complaints. The safer route is documentation, barangay action, negotiation, and if needed, court relief.
Legal Authorities
- Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, June 18, 1949:
- Article 613 — Defines easements or servitudes.
- Article 619 — Easements may be continuous/discontinuous and apparent/non-apparent.
- Article 622 — Discontinuous easements may be acquired only by title.
- Article 649 — Owner of an estate with no adequate outlet to a public highway may demand a right of way after payment of proper indemnity.
- Article 650 — Right of way must be established where least prejudicial to the servient estate, and insofar as consistent, where distance to the public highway is shortest.
- Article 651 — Width of the easement shall be sufficient for the needs of the dominant estate.
- Local Government Code of 1991, Republic Act No. 7160:
- Sections 408–412 — Katarungang Pambarangay conciliation process and precondition to filing certain court actions.
- Rules of Court, Rule 58 — Governs preliminary injunctions, which may be relevant if immediate court protection is needed against continued blockage.
Bottom line
If the road was only informally allowed by the previous owner, the residents may not automatically have a registered right against the buyer. But if their homes/properties are left without adequate access, they may seek a
compulsory easement of right of way under the Civil Code, with proper indemnity to the landowner. The best immediate step is to document everything, verify the status of the road, bring the matter to the barangay, and consult a lawyer for possible injunction or easement proceedings.