Things incident pass by the grant of the principal.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A grant of the principal carries with it all its incidents — cite this to argue that a conveyance of an estate automatically transfers the easements, privileges, and appurtenances that belong to it.

Where this applies

• A homeowner sells her house, and the buyer automatically receives the easement for the driveway that serves the property because incidents pass with the grant of the principal.
• A company acquires a factory, and the court holds that the existing utility easements and water rights transfer automatically because they are incidents of the principal property.
• A ranch is conveyed by deed, and the buyer claims the grazing rights on adjacent public land that were always appurtenant to the ranch; the court agrees because things incident pass by the grant of the principal.