What type of servitude prohibits the owner of the servient estate from taking action that benefits the dominant estate?

A negative servitude specifically restricts the owner of the servient estate from engaging in actions that might be beneficial to the dominant estate. This type of servitude ensures that certain rights or properties of the dominant estate are preserved by preventing the servient estate from performing specific activities that could hinder or negatively affect those rights.

For instance, if a property owner has a negative servitude that prevents them from building a structure that would block the view of a neighboring property, they are legally bound to refrain from any construction that would impede that aspect of the dominant estate. This concept is vital in property law as it delineates the boundaries of use and control over adjoining estates, helping to address conflicts related to property rights and land use.

In contrast, the other choices provide different concepts. Apparent servitudes are those that are visible and obvious, while nonapparent servitudes may not be visible but still affect the use of the property. A synallagmatic contract refers to a mutual agreement between parties where both have obligations, which does not pertain to the specific restrictions of servitudes.