Covenant (Real Estate)
Explore covenants in Canadian real estate — what they are, how they affect property use, and why they’re important for land control.
July 27, 2025
What is a Covenant?
A covenant in real estate is a legally binding promise or restriction placed on a property’s use, typically recorded on title and enforceable by law or contract.
Why a Covenant Matters in Real Estate
In Canadian property law, covenants help regulate land use, protect property value, and maintain community standards.
Types of covenants:
- Restrictive covenant: limits property use (e.g., no further subdivision)
- Affirmative covenant: obligates action (e.g., maintain fence)
Covenants run with the land, meaning they bind future owners until removed or modified legally.
Example of a Covenant in Action
The title search revealed a restrictive covenant prohibiting the construction of additional dwellings on the lot.
Key Takeaways
- Legal promise tied to property use
- Can restrict or require certain actions
- Binds current and future owners
- Recorded on property title
- May require legal process to change


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
