Jordegendom

Jordegendom, literally meaning land property, is a term used in Nordic civil law to denote real property consisting of land and permanent structures, as opposed to movable property. The понятие can be found in historical and contemporary discussions of land ownership, estates, and property rights. In modern usage, jordegendom is often encountered in land records, genealogical sources, and legal contexts that deal with the ownership and transfer of land and buildings. It is roughly equivalent to the concept of real property or landed property in other legal traditions.

Historically, jordegendom referred to large tracts of land controlled by noble families, the church, or the crown. Such estates served as the primary basis of wealth and political power and were central to the social structure of feudal and early modern societies. Over time, reforms in land law, taxation, and property rights transformed the ownership landscape, promoting clearer cadastral records, market transactions, and more universal access to land ownership.

Legally, jordegendom entails rights of ownership, use, and disposition over the land and any permanent improvements. These rights are subject to regulations on zoning, environmental protection, and land-use planning, as well as encumbrances such as mortgages, easements, or servitudes. Ownership can be transferred by sale, donation, or inheritance, and may be assessed for property taxation under relevant national or local frameworks.

Today the term is most commonly used in historical, genealogical, or comparative contexts; in everyday language, jurisdictions typically refer to real property, land and buildings, or fixed property.