What does severance involve in real property?

Severance in real property refers to the process of separating a portion of real estate from the whole, thereby converting that portion into personal property. This typically occurs when an owner removes something that is considered a permanent part of the real estate, such as cutting down a tree or detaching a fixture like an air conditioning unit. Once it is separated, it no longer has the legal classification of real property and becomes personal property that can be sold or transferred independently.

The other options do not accurately describe severance. Combining different properties involves an integration process, maintaining property refers to keeping it as it is without altering its nature, and renovating a property pertains to improving or altering real estate rather than separating or converting aspects of it. Understanding severance is essential in real estate law, as it affects ownership rights, value assessments, and how various assets are classified.