Background

In the early part of the 20th century, discriminatory covenants barring the sale or lease of property based on race, ethnicity or religion were inserted in some property records as part of deeds, plats and covenants, conditions, and restrictions. Two decades after the landmark US Supreme Court case Shelley v. Kraemer established racially restrictive covenants were unenforceable under the 14th Amendment, the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 made discriminatory covenants illegal and unenforceable.

While there is no current model law or uniform legislative approach to address previously recorded discriminatory covenants that still exist in public land records, state lawmakers have considered one or more legislative approaches to address illegal and unenforceable discriminatory covenants in public land records.

ALTA Position

ALTA is strongly opposed to any form of housing discrimination and is committed to proactively working toward solutions that protect the property rights of all homeowners.  

Federal Legislation

ALTA has endorsed federal legislation introduced by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) to fund the research and study of discriminatory covenants in land records.

Senate Bill 2549 - Mapping Housing Discrimination Act

State Legislative Tools

Discriminatory Covenants Articles

Recent 2024 2023 2022 2021

Vista Title & Escrow Helps Buyers Modify Discriminatory Covenants
March 12, 2024

Washington-based Vista Title and Escrow launched a new service helping property buyers to have a restrictive covenant modification filed with the county auditor’s office at no cost.