Which term is defined as an agreement in which one party promises to refrain from doing something?

Which term is defined as an agreement in which one party promises to refrain from doing something?

• A. Negative Covenant
• B. Negative Easement
• C. Restrictive Covenant
• D. Variance

Answer: (A)

A covenant is a binding promise embedded in a deed or contract about land use. A negative covenant is exactly a promise to refrain from doing something, such as “not to build above a certain height” or “not to operate a business on the property.” Because it’s a promise that binds current and future owners, it can run with the land and be enforceable against successors. This is different from a negative easement, which is a property right that restricts how the landowner may use their land for the benefit of another parcel. It’s an easement, not a contractual promise, and it creates a right rather than just a pledge in an agreement. A variance, on the other hand, is permission to depart from zoning rules granted by a governing authority, not a promise about restraining conduct. A restrictive covenant is often used to describe a promise restricting land use and is related, but the wording here points to the negative covenant as the precise term for a promise not to do something.

A covenant is a binding promise embedded in a deed or contract about land use. A negative covenant is exactly a promise to refrain from doing something, such as “not to build above a certain height” or “not to operate a business on the property.” Because it’s a promise that binds current and future owners, it can run with the land and be enforceable against successors.

This is different from a negative easement, which is a property right that restricts how the landowner may use their land for the benefit of another parcel. It’s an easement, not a contractual promise, and it creates a right rather than just a pledge in an agreement. A variance, on the other hand, is permission to depart from zoning rules granted by a governing authority, not a promise about restraining conduct. A restrictive covenant is often used to describe a promise restricting land use and is related, but the wording here points to the negative covenant as the precise term for a promise not to do something.