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Alienation Clause: What it Means, How it Works

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What Is an Alienation Clause?

The term alienation clause refers to a provision found in financial contracts, especially in mortgage and property insurance contracts. The clause generally only allows the transfer or the sale of a particular asset to be made once the main party fulfills its financial 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:obligation. An alienation clause helps the mortgage len𓂃der get repaid when the home used as collateral is sold by not allowing theඣ borrower to sell the home without paying off the mortgage.

Key Takeaways

  • An alienation clause clause allows a mortgage lender to receive full repayment of the loan if the borrower sells the home. 
  • An alienation clause voids certain contractual obligations to an asset if that asset is sold or if ownership is transferred to another entity.
  • These clauses are common in mortgage loans, which release borrowers from the lender once the property has been transferred to a new owner.
  • Alienation clauses also exist in insurance policies on any property that's been sold.

Understanding Alienation Clauses

Alienation clauses—also known as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:due-on-sale clauses—are usually a standard, especially in the mortgage industry. So it's hard to find a mortgage contract that doesn't have some type of alienation clause. Lenders include the clause in mortgage contracts for both 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:commercial and residentia🙈l properties so new buyers can't take✤ over an existing mortgage.

The clause provides assurances to the lender that the debt will be fully repaid in the event of a real estate sale or if the property is transferred to another party. The alienation clause essentially releases the borrower from their obligations to the lender since the proceeds from the home sale will pay off the mortgage balance.

Fast Fact

Alienation clauses are also call🎉ed due-on-sale clauses.

Alienation clauses are also included in property insurance policies. In residential and commercial property insurance contracts, alienation clauses release an account holder from paying insurance on a property if property ownership is transferred or if the property is sold. This release als🎶o requires the new homeowner to obtain new insurance in their name for the property in the future.

Alienation Clause Terms

Mortgage alienation clauses prevent assumable mortgage contracts from occurring. An alienation clause requires a mortgage lender to be immediately repaid if an owner transfers ownership rights or sells a collateralꦜ property. These clauses are included for both residential and🌠 commercial mortgage borrowers.

Assumable Mortgage

If an alienation clause is not included in a mortgage contract, the owner may be free to transfer the mortgage debt to a new owner in an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:assumable mortgage contract. Assumable mortgage contracts allow a new owner to take over the previous owner’s remaining debt obligations,🍬 making the scheduled payments to the mortgage creditor under the same terms as the previous borrower.

Although, assumable mortgage contracts are not common, they could be used if an owner is in fear of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:disclosure and does not have an alienation clause in their mortgage contract. An assumable mortgage contract can help a distressed borrower to relieve their debt obligati🔴ons throug🌜h a simplified transfer process.

Reduces Risk for the Lender

Mortgage lenders structure mortgage contracts with alienation clauses to ensure immediate repayment of debt obligations from a borrower. Nearly all mortgages have an alienation clause. An alienation clause protects the lender from unpaid debt by the original borrower. It ensures that a creditor is repaid in a more timely manner if a borrꦇower has issues with their mortgage payments and is unable to pay.

Alienation clauses also protect a lender from third-party 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit risk, associated with a𒅌 new borrower taking on an assumable mortgage contract since the new borrower has a significantly different credit profile.

Fast Fact

An alienation clause cannot prevent a property transfer to an heir from the deceased.

What Are Exemptions to the Alienation Clause?

If the homeowner dies and names a person as the heir to inherit the property, the alienation clause could not force the sale of the property. Also, a divorce or legal separation allows property transfer without triggering an alienation clause.

What Triggers an Alienation Clause?

If the borrower sells the property, either entirely or partly, the alienation clause would be t📖🃏riggered.

Does an Alienation Clause Help the Borrower?

If an alienation clause is triggered by the sale of the home, the proceeds from the sale would be used to repay the lender, releasing the b☂orrower from their debt obligations to the mortgage lender.

The Bottom Line

An alienation clause prevents a property from being transferred to another person wi🔯thout it being sold and the mortgage lender being repaid in full. The clause also releases the borrower from their debt obligation ꧃with the lender since the mortgage would be paid off.

An alienation clause protects the lender from unpaid debt by the original borrower, ensuring repayment from the sale of the home. The claus💖e is helpful, particularly if a borrower is struggling financially and may not be able to make their mortgage payments.

Article Sources
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