Encumbrances are legal rights or interests in land that limit the fee simple title to property. They can
include: zoning ordinances, mortgages, easements, liens, charges, pending legal challenges,
restrictive covenants, and unpaid taxes. Encumbrances do not prevent property transfers from
occurring, but the grantee must be aware that encumbrances will continue to exist after the land is
transferred from the grantor to the grantee unless the encumbrance(s) are otherwise discharged.
