Which term refers to the requirement of public knowledge regarding land possession?

The term that refers to the requirement of public knowledge regarding land possession is "open and notorious." This concept is essential in property law, particularly in the context of adverse possession. For a person to successfully claim adverse possession of a property, they must occupy the land in a manner that is visible and obvious to anyone, including the legal owner. This visibility is crucial because it puts the public on notice regarding who is claiming possession of the land.

In adverse possession cases, if a claim is made and the possession is not open and notorious, it’s likely that the legal owner might not be aware of the trespass. This is where the requirement for the possession to be open comes into play—anyone should be able to see that someone is occupying the land and claiming rights to it.

The other terms, while relevant in real estate, do not specifically address this aspect of public knowledge in land possession. Hostile possession relates to the nature of the claim being made against the owner's interests, easement pertains to the right to use someone else’s land for a specific purpose without owning it, and quiet title refers to a court action to settle disputes regarding property ownership but does not inherently relate to public knowledge of possession.