What does 'escheat' refer to in property rights?

Escheat refers to the legal process by which property reverts to the state when an individual dies without a will (intestate) and has no legal heirs. This mechanism ensures that property does not remain ownerless and becomes part of the public domain, allowing the state to manage and utilize it. Escheat serves as a way to handle unclaimed assets, ensuring they are not simply left in limbo. Through this process, the state can take the ownership of abandoned or unclaimed property, thereby maintaining order within property rights.

The other options, while related to property rights in different contexts, do not accurately define escheat. The right to take property for public use relates to eminent domain, while the right to build on property refers to property development rights. The authority to set zoning laws pertains to local government powers and land use regulation. Each of these functions has its own legal framework and implications, distinct from the concept of escheat.