

Restraint on alienation



  1. A prohibition against partition of property for a limited time.
  2. The right of first refusal – for example, if Joey sells property to Rachel, he may require that if Rachel later decides to sell the property, she must first give Joey the opportunity to buy it back.

Some specific restraints on alienation in the United States include:

Disabling restraints 
To be effective the grantor must sue the grantee for enforcement. The effectiveness of the lawsuit could prevent the transfer from being made. In addition, if the disabling restraint is found to be unconstitutional the restraint will not be effective.
Promissory restraints 
If the promissory note is breached by the grantee, the grantor may sue for damages. Unlike disabling restraints, the effectiveness of the lawsuit does not prevent the transfer from being made. However, the Supreme Court says promissory restraints are not permissible. The promissory note discourages the person getting ready to sell the property which is the same effect as the disabling restraint.
Forfeiture restraints 
In the event of a breach the property returns to the grantor or the grantor's heirs. The return happens automatically, hence the argument can be made that there is no state actions. However, according to a constitutional argument the mere fact that the state recognizes the validity of an automatic transfer makes it a state action.

To be effective the restraint must be reasonable and the restraint must be the same as a real covenant or equitable servitude.

There are six factors to determine if a restraint on alienation is reasonable:

  1. Type of price (fixed or not fixed; courts prefer non-fixed)
  2. Purpose: Is it a legitimate purpose, or not? (courts prefer legitimate)
  3. Equal bargaining power of the parties
  4. Duration (a time limit to the restraint is preferred)
  5. Limit to the number of persons to which transfer is prohibited
  6. A restraint that increases the value of property is more reasonable.

There are five basic conditions that must be met in order for there to be an effective real covenant and equitable servitude:

  1. It must be enforceable. To be enforceable it must not be too vague, it must not violate a statute or the constitution, it must not violate public policy, and it must meet the requirements under the statute of frauds.
  2. It must touch and concern the land.
  3. It must be intended to run.
  4. There must be privity between the successive occupants.
  5. There must be notice of the existence of a real covenant/equitable servitude.

New Zealand law

In New Zealand, Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993/Maori Land Act 1993 puts restrictions on alienation of land owned by a Māori person, or by a group which is predominantly Māori. Sections 146 and 147 of the Act force an owner of Māori land who wishes to alienate their interest in the land to give right of first refusal to people belonging to "preferred classes of alienees".[2] These preferred classes include whanaunga (blood relations)[3] of the owner, other current owners, and members of the owner's hapu.[4]

See also

  • Moynihan, Cornelius J. Introduction to the Law of Real Property: An Historical Background of The Common Law of Real Property and its Modern Application, 4th ed. (St. Paul, Mn: Thompson West), 42.