Which instrument is used to control future use of a property without transferring ownership?

Which instrument is used to control future use of a property without transferring ownership?

• A. an injunction.
• B. a deed restriction.
• C. an easement.
• D. a land trust.

Answer: (B)

A deed restriction is a limitation attached to the property's title that governs how the land can be used in the future. It’s recorded in the deed or in related documents and runs with the land, so every current and future owner must follow it. Importantly, it controls use without transferring ownership—the owner still holds title, just subject to the stated limitations (like building size, setbacks, or permitted uses). The other options don’t fit as cleanly. An injunction is a court order stopping or compelling a specific action; it’s a remedy rather than a perpetual title-based constraint on the property. An easement gives someone else a right to use part of the property for a specific purpose, creating a separate property interest rather than a general use limitation on the owner. A land trust places the title in a trustee’s hands for the benefit of beneficiaries, effectively altering who holds ownership, not merely restricting future uses.

A deed restriction is a limitation attached to the property's title that governs how the land can be used in the future. It’s recorded in the deed or in related documents and runs with the land, so every current and future owner must follow it. Importantly, it controls use without transferring ownership—the owner still holds title, just subject to the stated limitations (like building size, setbacks, or permitted uses).

The other options don’t fit as cleanly. An injunction is a court order stopping or compelling a specific action; it’s a remedy rather than a perpetual title-based constraint on the property. An easement gives someone else a right to use part of the property for a specific purpose, creating a separate property interest rather than a general use limitation on the owner. A land trust places the title in a trustee’s hands for the benefit of beneficiaries, effectively altering who holds ownership, not merely restricting future uses.