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.
Restrictive Covenants Without Hoa In Maryland
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A covenant not to sue legally obliges a party that could initiate a lawsuit not to do so. The covenant is made explicitly between two parties, and any third party that wants to make a claim is legally allowed to do so. Covenants not to sue are used to settle specific legal issues outside of the court system.
My limited understanding is, restrictive covenants are only enforceable by a home owners association created among them. A local government isn't going to swoop in and enforce, or defend, a covenant that you created on your property. The local government is only concerned with land use ordinance's and state laws.
The Maryland Homeowners Association Act (“HOA Act”) and the Maryland inium Act (“Condo Act”) are sets of laws that apply to homeowners associations and iniums in Maryland. They can be found in the Real Property Article of the Maryland Code.
A real covenant is only enforceable if it was created intentionally, it relates to the property in question, and two kinds of privity are established. Additionally, a real covenant must be in writing. The party capable of enforcing the covenant depends on whether the burden or the benefit runs with the land.
To be enforceable, a restrictive covenant must be reasonably limited in duration. In some cases, a three year limitation might be acceptable, while, in other cases, one year would be too long. The restriction must also be sufficiently limited in a geographic scope.
A restrictive covenant runs with the land, affecting successive owners. It will not cease to be enforceable just because it was created a long time ago. However, the covenant may be unenforceable for another reason. For example, where the seller failed to observe the relevant registration formalities.
If a deed restriction is not enforceable, you can choose to ignore it and take on the risk of a neighbor filing suit, or you can seek out a judge's ruling to have the covenant removed from the deed. Obtaining that ruling is easier when no one is actively enforcing the covenant.
Under the Limitation Act 1980 claims in land need to be brought to court within 12 years. The main remedy for a breach of a restrictive covenant or the threat of it is the application to the courts for an injunction to prevent any further breaches.
Because there's no central authority to keep everyone in line, it's up to individual property owners to take matters into their own hands. They can either enforce the restrictions themselves or turn to local authorities.
While homeowners' associations in Maryland are governed by the federal FDCPA, the state also has an additional legislature that regulates the collection of debt at the state level.