A covenant, in its most general sense and historical sense, is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action. Under historical English common law a covenant was distinguished from an ordinary contract by the presence of a seal.

What does covenant mean in a deed?

A covenant is language within a conveyance or other contract evidencing an agreement to do or refrain from doing a particular act. Covenants are either personal, restricting only the party who signs the agreement, or they "run with the land," passing the burden along to subsequent property owners.

What does covenants mean on a property?

A covenant is a provision, or promise, contained in a deed to land. Land may be subject to a covenant which affects or limits its use. This is known as the burden of a covenant. A covenant may give a landowner some say over what is permissible on neighbouring property. This is called the benefit of a covenant.