In a deed, a grantee may agree to do something or refrain from doing certain acts. This agreement will become a binding contract between the grantor and the grantee. An example would be an agreement to maintain fences on the property or that the property will only be used for residential purposes. This kind of covenant is binding, not only between the grantor and the grantee, but also runs with the land. This means that anyone acquiring the land from the grantee is also bound by the covenant of the grantee. A covenant that provides that the grantee will refrain from certain conduct is called a restrictive or protective covenant. For example, there may be a covenant that no mobile home shall be placed on the property.
A restrictive or protective covenant may limit the kind of structure that can be placed on the property and may also restrict the use that can be made of the land. For example, when a tract of land is developed for individual lots and homes to be built, it is common to use the same restrictive covenants in all of the deeds in order to cause uniform restrictions and patterns on the property. For example, the developer may provide that no home may be built under a certain number of square feet. Any person acquiring a lot within the tract will be bound by the restrictions if they are placed in the deed or a prior recorded deed. Also, these restrictive covenants may be placed in a document at the outset of the development entitled "Restrictive Covenants," and list all the restrictive covenants that will apply to the tracts of land being developed. Any subsequent deed can then refer back to the book and page number where these restrictive covenants are recorded. Any person owning one of the lots in the tract may bring suit against another lot owner to enforce the restrictive covenants. However, restrictive covenants may be abandoned or not enforceable by estoppel if the restrictive covenants are violated openly for a sufficient period of time in order for a Court to declare that the restriction has been abandoned.
The following form shows one way in which Restrictive or Protective Covenants may be amended.
California Amendment to Protective Covenant
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Judges in most states view these agreements with suspicion, but California courts, following California statutory law, rarely enforce them. In this context, a restrictive covenant is an agreement between an employer and employee that limits an employee's ability to compete after leaving the employer.
To be enforceable a restrictive covenant must firstly touch and concern or somehow benefit other land, and the benefit must also have been intended to run with that benefitting land. The covenant cannot merely be a covenant of personal benefit to the original contracting party.
If there is a covenant on your property which is obsolete, you can make an application to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) (which use to be known as the Lands Tribunal) asking for the covenant to be discharged or modified.
Certain restrictive covenants will be enforceable, if you are able to prove that they are: reasonable. necessary to protect legitimate business interests; and. of a duration no longer than is necessary to protect those interests.
If there is a restrictive covenant on your property you may be able to remove it. The first step would be to negotiate with the original developer or landowner to enter into a formal agreement to remove the covenants from the title.
Can I get a restrictive covenant removed? If there is a covenant on your property which is obsolete, you can make an application to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) (which use to be known as the Lands Tribunal) asking for the covenant to be discharged or modified.
In California, however, covenants not to compete are almost always not enforceable. California state law says that a covenant that restrains someone from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business is void.
Although this case relates directly to development of property, it is clear that modifying restrictive covenants of any nature or kind is possible if deemed reasonable in the circumstances by the courts, which will of course be determined on a case-by-case basis.
To do this, you'll need to apply to remove the restrictive covenant. An application to remove or modify the restrictive covenant can take between 18 and 24 months to go through. If the party controlling the covenant can still enforce the ruling, consider negotiation, but be prepared for them to want compensation.
How legally binding are restrictive covenants? Providing restrictive covenants are not void for restraint of trade and required to protect legitimate business interests, they will be viewed as legally binding. If restrictive covenants are introduced to existing employees, employer's need to provide consideration.