How do I challenge a restrictive covenant? Express release: It may be possible to negotiate the release or variation of a restrictive covenant. Indemnity insurance: It is possible to obtain indemnity insurance to protect against the risk of a person with the benefit of a restrictive covenant seeking to enforce it.
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.
A bill was introduced in Texas in 2007 to create covenant marriage in the state, but it failed to pass. Biblical teachings are the backbone of covenant marriage, with the belief that marriage is a lifelong promise between both parties to the marriage and God.
The new law will require that homeowners association policies must include general categories of restrictive covenants for which the association may assess fines, a schedule of fines for each category of violation, and information on hearings.
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.
The association or another representative may enforce restrictive covenants by civil litigation or administrative proceedings. This section gives justice courts jurisdiction in cases relating to the enforcement of a deed restriction of a residential subdivision that does not concern a structural change to a dwelling.
The Property Code is enforced through the court system.
Restrictive covenants are usually enforced by the association's board. These agreements are also called Declarations of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
The new law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. HOAs are mandated by law to provide property owners with a catalog outlining prohibited items, a fine timetable, and details on the conduct of hearings. The information must be posted to their website and given annually to residents via delivery, first-class mail, or email.
A property owners' association or another “representative designated by an owner” may file a lawsuit to enforce a restrictive covenant.