Table of Contents
..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Covenants..................................................................................................................................................... 2
What is a covenant?...................................................................................................................................... 2
A covenant is a promise made by one freehold owner (covenantor) to another (covenantee), by which the
covenantor undertakes to restrict the use of their land......................................................................................2
The covenantor assumes the burden of the covenant, and the covenantee assumes the benefit.....................2
Where is it enforceable?............................................................................................................................... 2
It is enforceable in contract law..........................................................................................................................2
It may be enforceable between later owners of the properties if some conditions are fulfilled........................2
It is capable of being removed in court...............................................................................................................2
What are some typical covenants?................................................................................................................ 2
Do burdens run with land?............................................................................................................................ 2
What is required for the burdens to run with the land?.................................................................................3
Why does the burden of positive covenants not run with the land?...............................................................4
Is there a workaround for positive covenants?...............................................................................................4
At the time of the covenant, the covenantee must have owned the benefitting land......................................4
How can one sue on covenants?.................................................................................................................... 5
Remedies available for breach of covenant.................................................................................................... 5
How can owners get rid of covenants?.......................................................................................................... 6
a) The covenant should be deemed obsolete...................................................................................................6
b) The covenant would impede some reasonable use of the property............................................................6
c) The parties are in agreement to discharge/modify, or.................................................................................6
d) The discharge/modification would not injure anyone else entitled to the benefit......................................6
A. Reasonable User Ground........................................................................................................................... 6
B. Discretion Ground..................................................................................................................................... 7
Right to Roam............................................................................................................................................... 7
, Covenants
What is a covenant?
- A covenant is a promise made by one freehold owner (covenantor) to another
(covenantee), by which the covenantor undertakes to restrict the use of their land.
- The covenantor assumes the burden of the covenant, and the covenantee assumes the
benefit.
- Usually, the successor of the covenantor would be the “arch-nemesis” of the
covenant as they would not want the burden of the covenant. The person who has
the benefit however, like the successor, would benefit from the duty and they have a
right to enforce it.
Where is it enforceable?
- It is enforceable in contract law.
- It may be enforceable between later owners of the properties if some conditions are
fulfilled.
- It is capable of being removed in court.
What are some typical covenants?
1) A covenant not to run a business on one’s land, from a garden, or garage or front-yard.
2) A covenant not to build any structures on one’s land, for reasons of maintaining an
architectural structure in a neighborhood.
3) A covenant only to use a building for educational purposes.
4) A covenant only to use the land as affordable housing for workers.
5) A covenant to contribute to the cost of maintaining a road leading out of the estate as
a quid pro quo (consideration) for having an easement to use the road.
Do burdens run with land?
- Generally, the burden never runs with the land at law. Burden is considered a
contractual obligation at common law, and thus not capable of attaching to land or
binding third parties. (Austerberry v Earl of Oldham)
- However, if the covenantors successors are in breach of covenant, the covenantor can
remain liable unless a contrary intention is expressed. (s79 LPA 1925) The contrary
intention can be when the house is sold, the original owner states that the successor
indemnifies him.
..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Covenants..................................................................................................................................................... 2
What is a covenant?...................................................................................................................................... 2
A covenant is a promise made by one freehold owner (covenantor) to another (covenantee), by which the
covenantor undertakes to restrict the use of their land......................................................................................2
The covenantor assumes the burden of the covenant, and the covenantee assumes the benefit.....................2
Where is it enforceable?............................................................................................................................... 2
It is enforceable in contract law..........................................................................................................................2
It may be enforceable between later owners of the properties if some conditions are fulfilled........................2
It is capable of being removed in court...............................................................................................................2
What are some typical covenants?................................................................................................................ 2
Do burdens run with land?............................................................................................................................ 2
What is required for the burdens to run with the land?.................................................................................3
Why does the burden of positive covenants not run with the land?...............................................................4
Is there a workaround for positive covenants?...............................................................................................4
At the time of the covenant, the covenantee must have owned the benefitting land......................................4
How can one sue on covenants?.................................................................................................................... 5
Remedies available for breach of covenant.................................................................................................... 5
How can owners get rid of covenants?.......................................................................................................... 6
a) The covenant should be deemed obsolete...................................................................................................6
b) The covenant would impede some reasonable use of the property............................................................6
c) The parties are in agreement to discharge/modify, or.................................................................................6
d) The discharge/modification would not injure anyone else entitled to the benefit......................................6
A. Reasonable User Ground........................................................................................................................... 6
B. Discretion Ground..................................................................................................................................... 7
Right to Roam............................................................................................................................................... 7
, Covenants
What is a covenant?
- A covenant is a promise made by one freehold owner (covenantor) to another
(covenantee), by which the covenantor undertakes to restrict the use of their land.
- The covenantor assumes the burden of the covenant, and the covenantee assumes the
benefit.
- Usually, the successor of the covenantor would be the “arch-nemesis” of the
covenant as they would not want the burden of the covenant. The person who has
the benefit however, like the successor, would benefit from the duty and they have a
right to enforce it.
Where is it enforceable?
- It is enforceable in contract law.
- It may be enforceable between later owners of the properties if some conditions are
fulfilled.
- It is capable of being removed in court.
What are some typical covenants?
1) A covenant not to run a business on one’s land, from a garden, or garage or front-yard.
2) A covenant not to build any structures on one’s land, for reasons of maintaining an
architectural structure in a neighborhood.
3) A covenant only to use a building for educational purposes.
4) A covenant only to use the land as affordable housing for workers.
5) A covenant to contribute to the cost of maintaining a road leading out of the estate as
a quid pro quo (consideration) for having an easement to use the road.
Do burdens run with land?
- Generally, the burden never runs with the land at law. Burden is considered a
contractual obligation at common law, and thus not capable of attaching to land or
binding third parties. (Austerberry v Earl of Oldham)
- However, if the covenantors successors are in breach of covenant, the covenantor can
remain liable unless a contrary intention is expressed. (s79 LPA 1925) The contrary
intention can be when the house is sold, the original owner states that the successor
indemnifies him.
