Final answer:
An encroachment occurs when property improvements cross into neighboring land beyond established property lines. Such issues are common with the metes and bounds property system, and legal action may be required to resolve property rights disputes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe a piece of property or an object on a property that is crossing the boundary line of an adjacent property is known as an encroachment. An encroachment can occur when property improvements such as buildings, fences, trees, or other physical objects extend onto neighboring land beyond the property lines. The metes and bounds system of property description may contribute to such issues due to its nature of using natural landmarks, which can be imprecise and shift over time. Resolving encroachments typically involves legal processes to redefine property rights and may require compensation if one's property rights are infringed upon.