What is a common requirement for adverse possession cases?

In adverse possession cases, one of the most critical requirements is that the possession of the property must be hostile and without permission from the true owner. This means that the possessor occupies the land in a manner that is contrary to the interests of the owner, effectively treating the property as their own. The hostility aspect indicates that the possessor does not have the owner’s consent and is asserting a claim over the property. This element is essential because it differentiates simple use of someone else's property from a claim of ownership that can ultimately lead to obtaining legal title through adverse possession.

Possession being secretive would not fulfill the conditions for adverse possession, as the use of the property must be open and notorious for a specific period so that the rightful owner has the opportunity to take action if they choose. Similarly, possession must be continuous and not temporary to establish a legal claim, and while making improvements on the property can strengthen a claim, it is not a mandatory requirement. The primary focus remains on the hostile nature of the possession as a foundational element in these cases.