When buying a home, you might come across a mysterious phrase: 'restrictive covenant.' But what does it actually mean?
A restrictive covenant is a legal obligation written into the deeds of a property. It restricts how the property can be used, potentially limiting your plans for renovation, development, or even day-to-day living. Common restrictions include:
- No building extensions or additional structures: You may not be allowed to build conservatories, sheds, or other outbuildings without breaching the covenant.
- No running a business from the home: If you work from home or plan to set up a business, this could become a major obstacle.
- No parking commercial vehicles outside: If you own a van or other commercial vehicle, you might not be able to park it on your driveway or outside your home.
- Restrictions on fencing, trees, or alterations: Even seemingly small changes like changing fences, removing trees, or painting the house could be limited.
These rules often date back decades, sometimes centuries, and might seem outdated—but they are still legally enforceable. Breaching them can result in legal action, fines, or even orders to reverse changes made.
Why should you care? Because buying a property with restrictive covenants without knowing it can be an expensive mistake. Imagine purchasing your dream home only to discover you can't build the extension you planned, or worse, that your current use of the property breaches these rules.
Before you buy, always review property reports from trusted sources like Getkeys. These reports can identify restrictive covenants and flag them for further investigation.
Tip: Always consult your solicitor to clarify any restrictive covenant flagged in your report before proceeding with the purchase.