> can you beat an adverse possession claim simply by giving the squatter permission? You can beat it with a peppercorn: > [A] peppercorn rent is often used as

> can you beat an adverse possession claim simply by giving the squatter permission? You can beat it with a peppercorn: > [A] peppercorn rent is often used as a form of nominal ground rent where a (potentially substantial) premium has also been paid on commencement of a long lease of, say, 99 or 125 years (a "virtual freehold"). The notional collection of the annual peppercorn rent helps to maintain a formal Landlord and Tenant relationship between the two parties, precluding the risk of a claim for adverse possession from the tenant arising, were no consideration to be paid for an extended period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppercorn_%28legal%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppercorn_%28legal%29 (In this case, a 'peppercorn' is any tiny amount of money or other consideration, which is required to make a contract valid. It may, in fact, be a literal peppercorn.)