# N.Y. RPA Law § 501: Adverse possession; defined

> New York · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S501

## Section

- **Citation:** N.Y. RPA Law § 501
- **Heading:** Adverse possession; defined
- **Jurisdiction:** New York
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** New York Code / Act RPA / Article 5 / Section 501

## Text

§ 501. Adverse possession; defined. For the purposes of this article:\n 1. Adverse possessor. A person or entity is an "adverse possessor" of\nreal property when the person or entity occupies real property of\nanother person or entity with or without knowledge of the other's\nsuperior ownership rights, in a manner that would give the owner a cause\nof action for ejectment.\n 2. Acquisition of title. An adverse possessor gains title to the\noccupied real property upon the expiration of the statute of limitations\nfor an action to recover real property pursuant to subdivision (a) of\nsection two hundred twelve of the civil practice law and rules, provided\nthat the occupancy, as described in sections five hundred twelve and\nfive hundred twenty-two of this article, has been adverse, under claim\nof right, open and notorious, continuous, exclusive, and actual.\n 3. Claim of right. A claim of right means a reasonable basis for the\nbelief that the property belongs to the adverse possessor or property\nowner, as the case may be. Notwithstanding any other provision of this\narticle, claim of right shall not be required if the owner or owners of\nthe real property throughout the statutory period cannot be ascertained\nin the records of the county clerk, or the register of the county, of\nthe county where such real property is situated, and located by\nreasonable means.\n

## Nearby sections

- [N.Y. RPA Law § 501 Adverse possession; defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S501.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 511 Adverse possession under written instrument or judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S511.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 512 Essentials of adverse possession under written instrument or judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S512.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 521 Adverse possession not under written instrument or judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S521.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 522 Essentials of adverse possession not under written instrument or judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S522.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 531 Adverse possession, how affected by relation of landlord and tenant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S531.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 541 Adverse possession, how affected by relation of tenants in common](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S541.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 543 Adverse possession; how affected by acts across a boundary line](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S543.md)
- [N.Y. RPA Law § 551 Right of person to possession not affected by descent cast](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S551.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NY_ARPA_A5_S501. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.