Restrictive Covenants

[Blue62]

I own a property that has a restrictive covenant over a stretch of the neighbouring garden regarding hedge height/sheds/buildings etc, the covenant was set up in 1959, long before I own the property. I have no issue at all with my neighbour and don't foresee one, but over a pint the other day a friend questioned whether these covenants are any longer enforceable if the original title holders have sold or passed away, he seems to think there was a change in the law some years ago to this effect. Does anyone know whether he's right?

[Muncher]

There's been no changes in the law, the benefit of the covenants pass with the land, so as a general rule they are still enforceable. Yes there are exceptions, yes you can insure against them, yes you can apply to have them removed in certain circumstances, but as a rule of thumb they continue to be valid.