Covenants?

[R1Geezer]

General question, a building bought in 1928 has a covenant about it's usage. How would you go about removing the covenanant? what would happen if you just ignored it given that the original seller is probably dead? how would you go about removing it legally? any idea what it would cost.?

[buildersmate]

A restrictive convenant may be in favour of a named individual or the proprietor of the land title. Either way removing it legally isn't cheap - it may be done by applying to the Lands Tribunal using the case that the convenant serves no useful purpose any more. You would probably have to employ a specialist (solicitor) to assist you.
If you can't find the holder of the convenant (because they are maybe deceased) you could go down the route of indemnity insurance. The proemium will depend on the perceived risk by the insurer and is impossible to guess. On something as old as 1928 likely to be very small premium.

[R1Geezer]

thanks, any idea of a company where i could get such an indemnity?

[buildersmate]

Norwich Union probably still do it - speak to their professional Risks department in Norwich - unless it's been outsourced to Mumbai. A quick Google found this from RSA but I think you will find all the big insurers do something similar.
http://www.royalsunconnect.co.uk/preloginprofi n/LegalIndemnities.asp