Restrictive covenants on auction properties: a buyer’s primer

Where they hide

Transfers from the 1950s sometimes contain a paragraph forbidding trade use or limiting building height. Your conveyancer maps those clauses against modern use.

Practical impact

Many covenants are ancient and hard to enforce, yet lenders still ask for comfort. Indemnity policies are common; major works might need a deed of release instead.

At auction speed

Decide before bidding whether a covenant blocks your plan — flipping to HMO use, running a workshop from the garage, and so on. “Sort it later” is a gamble once contracts exchange.