Definition of "Alienation clause"

The definition of alienation clause is the transfer or sale of a particular property or asset that can be applied once the owner has no more financial obligations to said property or asset. The most often use for the term alienation clause is in financial or insurance contracts as well as mortgage deals and property insurance contracts.

Sometimes, the possibility of a real estate Alienation can be stipulated in a contract, either allowing or forbidding it to happen. Whenever that happens, it’s referred to it by parties as “the alienation clause”. 

Alienation Clause in Mortgages

These can be quite common in the mortgage industry, and mortgage contracts usually have the clause stipulated, and lenders include them for residential and commercial properties. With the alienation clause, the lender can make sure that the payments are respected and fully repaid. The alienation clause covers the lender if the property is sold or transferred to someone else because the revenue from the sale will settle the mortgage balance.

If the alienation clause is not stipulated in the mortgage agreement the owner might transfer or sell the property along with the mortgage debt to a new owner in something that is called an assumable mortgage contract.

Alienation Clause in Insurance

Property insurance for both commercial and residential properties also have an alienation clause mentioned in their contracts. In the case of property insurance, the alienation clause absolves the account holder from any future payments in case the property is sold or transferred to someone else. Once the account holder, original owner, is acquitted of payments, the insurance is closed, and the new owner must purchase a new insurance in their own name for the property.

So, when you hear someone talking about a real estate alienation clause, know that person is mentioning the part of the contract that talks about the right to transfer property from one person to another.

Real Estate Tips:

Use our real estate Glossary Terms and get your knowledge up to date!

Want to find the best local agents? The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® is the best way to go.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

A rental stipulation a varying rental rate. Rental rate are determined tied to periodic appraisals or an inflation or an inflation index. The provision is more common in a long-term leases. ...

Traditional style borrowed from the British Georgian architecture in the American colonial period. Colonial architecture usually has two stories emphasizing window detail and shutters. ...

The term comparables is used to better determine the value an asset has when compared to others, similar to it. Real estate comparables are used in assessments to determine a house’s ...

Suppose you are a house hunter, buyer, seller, realtor, or investor. In that case, you've probably come across the term "Gross Rent Multiplier" or GRM. But what exactly is it? Let's shed ...

Home of 1 to 3 stories with stucco outside and a roof made of red tiles. ...

The definition of option explains the term as something that can be chosen in spite of having multiple other alternatives. It could be an option for food, which shows a preference for one ...

The definition of a full covenant and warranty deed in real estate is a type of deed that includes a number of specific assurances that certain conditions will be met that go above and ...

The definition of alienation in real estate stands for the legal action that is done voluntarily by an owner to dispose of their property. It also encompasses a property’s right to be ...

The rent a property commands in a free and open market setting. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions