You’re in good hands! I grew up here in Burnley and selling real estate is my life’s work. One thing I love to help with is something called a Restrictive Covenant – a part of buying a home that can be tricky. Even though people don’t think about them often, they can have a big impact on your plans for a property. I’ve guided lots of customers through this, and I can’t say enough about how important it is to know everything about Restrictive Covenants before buying a property in Burnley.
Let’s start with what Restrictive Covenants are. They’re rules added to a property’s legal paperwork by the person selling the house, normally to protect the community and keep things nice in the local area. As an example, one might stop you from changing how your house looks on the outside, to keep things looking good in the neighbourhood. Not all these rules stop you from doing things – some of them might tell you to do something, like looking after a fence.
So, how does this happen in Burnley? Our town is known for its old-style buildings and lovely old-fashioned houses. Sometimes, these covenants help to keep everything looking old-fashioned and authentic. For example, there might be a covenant stopping you from changing how a house looks without getting permission from the local heritage group.
If you’re thinking of buying a property, remember that these covenants still apply once the house has changed hands. When you’re looking at houses, ask the estate agent if there are any restrictive covenants and they should tell you. If you’ve found your dream home but you’re worried about a certain covenant, get some legal help. It might be a slow process, but in some cases, you can change or remove a covenant, though it’s not always possible.
If you break a restrictive covenant, you might have to pay a fine or even undo any changes you’ve made. So, always be sure you understand any covenants before buying a property, especially if you plan to make changes. If there aren’t any restrictive covenants, you’ll have plenty of freedom to make a home in Burnley that’s just how you want it and some houses don’t have any covenants at all.
To sum up, restrictive covenants in Burnley are nothing to worry about as long as you understand them. They’re important for keeping the town and its houses looking good. Always ask about any covenants when buying a property in Burnley and make sure you know what they mean so you don’t have to worry about them later. If there’s something you’re unsure about, get some legal help and don’t let any restrictive covenants spoil the excitement of getting your new home in Burnley!