I own a small farm in Tennesse, about 150 acres. Part of my farm is on the lake in a small cove. There is a parcel next to my farm that is made up of three pieces of land. All three pieces of land are separated from each other by water. Only one of the three pieces is currently accessable. It has a county road to it. The other two pieces have never had any access other than by water. The current property owner is selling the parcel. The deed has restrictions on it that will not allow the 3 pieces to be split up. I am concerned that the new owner will want to have road access to the other two parcels. The only way to get there is through the middle of my farm. Will I have to sell them an easement or right-of-way? Or are they out of luck since they knew the land did not have access when they bought it and has never had access? We are hearing rumors that they want to build a marina on these three pieces. It would be devastating to my farm. The property was originally deeded to TVA back in the 30's. They sold it to the current owner in 1969 with the restriction on keeping the 3 pieces as one parcel and that it could only be used for recreation. It is my understanding from TVA that these restrictions will pass on to the new property owner.
Thanks,

They do not need to buy an easement because they can petition the courts and get one for free if going thru your property is the only way to have reasonable access to their property, though they would need to pay for the road and you would need to make sure the road is maintained by them as owners of the easement. I suggest consulting an attorney to discuss if it is better for you to sell an easement versus letting one be granted. You also may want to consult a surveyor or property professional to make sure thru your property is the only means of access since roads and maps may have changed in the intervening years.