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

Claim or debt that may be recovered by instituting a lawsuit. ...

The net leasable area is all the leasable area of a given building exclusive of non-leasable space such as hallways, building foyers, rooms devoted to heating, air conditioning, elevators, ...

Typically, a general contractor or GC in the real estate industry defines a person who signs a contract with a property owner or developer. Thus, they assume full responsibility for ...

One-time charge assessed by a bank or other financial institution at the closing of buying real property. The fee increases the effective cost to the borrower. One discount point translates ...

An interior wall dividing an area into two or more rooms or separate areas. The division of real estate between owners giving each an undivided interest. ...

Return earned on an investment over a given time period. It includes two basic components- the current yields, such as rental income and capital gains, or losses in property values. It is ...

Release of a portion of a property from a mortgage. ...

Amount still unpaid at a particular date on a loan or other financing agreement. ...

Tax credit aimed at encouraging the conservation of natural resources, as well as the development of alternative resource. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions